Variations of two-neutron separation energies and thermal-neutron capture cross sections versus the pairing gap

TL;DR

This paper explores the correlation between pairing gaps and nuclear observables like two-neutron separation energies and neutron capture cross sections, revealing links to quantum phase transitions in specific nuclei.

Contribution

It provides new insights into how pairing gaps relate to nuclear structure phenomena and observable signatures of quantum phase transitions near closed shells.

Findings

Strong correlation between pairing gap and quantum phase transition signatures.

Explanation of the relation between pairing gap and thermal-neutron capture cross sections.

Identification of critical point behavior in nuclei near Z=50 and Z=82.

Abstract

In this work, we investigate the experimental correlation between the pairing gap values and two important observables in the study of nuclear structure (two neutron separation energies and thermal-neutron capture cross-sections). To this aim, we focused on the even-even nuclei in the vicinity of Z=50 and Z = 82 closed proton shells, for which the quantum phase transition phenomena are reported. The results show a significant correlation between the pairing gap and the well-known signatures of quantum phase transitions in the nuclei, which are the candidates for E(5) and X(5) critical points. Also, we have explained the special relation between the pairing gap and the cross-section of thermal neutrons in the considered isotopic chains.