Direct proton transfer on $^{46}$Ar supports the presence of a charge density bubble linked to a novel nuclear structure below $^{48}$Ca

TL;DR

This study provides experimental evidence of a charge density bubble in $^{46}$Ar, linked to a unique nuclear structure, supported by direct proton transfer reactions and ab initio calculations.

Contribution

First experimental observation of a charge density bubble in $^{46}$Ar, confirming theoretical predictions of a novel nuclear structure below $^{48}$Ca.

Findings

Depletion of the $ ext{pi } s_{1/2}$ shell in $^{47}$K

Agreement with ab initio calculations predicting a charge density bubble

Evidence of a proton closed-shell character in $^{46}$Ar

Abstract

The $^{46}$Ar($^3$He,d)$^{47}$K reaction was performed in inverse kinematics using a radioactive $^{46}$Ar beam produced by the SPIRAL1 facility at GANIL and a cryogenic $^{3}$He target. The AGATA-MUGAST-VAMOS setup allowed the coincident measurement of the $\gamma$ rays, deuterons and recoiling $^{47}$K isotopes produced by the reaction. The relative cross sections towards the proton-addition states in $^{47}$K point towards a depletion of the $\pi s_{1/2}$ shell. The experimental findings are in good agreement with ab initio calculations, which predict that $^{46}$Ar exhibits a charge density bubble associated with a pronounced proton closed-shell character.