First Spectroscopy of 40Mg and the Implications for Structure Near the Dripline

Fri., Mar. 12, 2021 3:30 p.m. - Fri., Mar. 12, 2021 4:30 p.m.

Location: Zoom

Abstract: The study of nuclei far from stability is one of the most active and challenging areas of nuclear structure physics. One of the most exotic neutron-rich nuclei currently accessible to experiment is 40Mg, which lies at the intersection of the nucleon magic number N=28 and the drip line, and is expected to have a large prolate deformation similar to that observed in the neighboring lighter isotopes 32-38Mg. In addition, the occupation of the weakly bound low-l p3/2 state may lead to the appearance of an extended neutron halo. 40Mg offers an exciting possibility and rare opportunity to investigate the coupling of weakly bound valence particles to a deformed core, and the influence of near threshold effects on collective rotational motion. I will discuss the results of an experiment carried out at RIBF to study 40Mg, the unexpected excitation spectrum observed, and possible interpretations for the structure of this key nucleus.

Speaker: Dr. Heather Crawford, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory