Related papers: The 76Cu conundrum remains unsolved
The International Germanium Experiment (IGEX) has analyzed 117 mole yr of 76Ge data from its isotopically enriched (86% 76Ge) germanium detectors. Applying pulse-shape discrimination (PSD) to the more recent data, the lower bound on the…
Recent microscopic calculation based on the density functional theory predicts long-lived superheavy elements in a variety of shapes, including spherical, axial and triaxial configurations. Only when N=184 is approached one expects…
In a previous article [Phys. Rev. D 79, 053001 (2009)] we estimated the correlated uncertainties associated to the nuclear matrix elements (NME) of neutrinoless double beta decay (0 nu beta beta) within the quasiparticle random phase…
A measurement of the 56Ni cosmic ray abundance has been discussed as a possible tool to determine the acceleration time scale of relativistic particles in cosmic rays. This conjecture will depend on the halflife of totally ionized 56Ni…
Configuration-constrained calculations of potential-energy surfaces in even-even superheavy nuclei reveal systematically the existence at low excitation energies of multi-quasiparticle states with deformed axially symmetric shapes and large…
The heaviest N=Z doubly-magic nucleus, $^{100}$Sn, and the neighboring nuclei offer unique opportunities to investigate the properties of nuclear interaction in extreme conditions. In particular, the Cd isotopes are expected to present…
$\beta$ decay of the $^{61}$Cr$_{37}$ ground state has been studied. A new half-life of 233 +/- 11 ms has been deduced, and seven delayed $\gamma$ rays have been assigned to the daughter, $^{61}$Mn$_{36}$. The low-energy level structure of…
Beta-decay properties of neutron-rich Ca isotopes have been obtained. Half-life values were determined for the first time for 54Ca [86(7) ms], 55Ca [22(2) ms], and 56Ca [11(2) ms]. The half-life of 230(6) ms deduced for 53Ca is…
The properties of the neutron-rich isotope $^{78}$Ni, long postulated to be doubly magic, have been extensively explored through recent experimental and theoretical studies. Confirmations of robust shell closures at $Z=28$ and $N=50$ as…
Despite being a complex many-body system, the atomic nucleus exhibits simple structures for certain "magic" numbers of protons and neutrons. The calcium chain in particular is both unique and puzzling: evidence of doubly-magic features are…
A measurement of neutrinoless double beta decay in one isotope does not allow to determine the underlying physics mechanism. We discuss the discrimination of mechanisms for neutrinoless double beta decay by comparing ratios of half life…
Background: High-spin isomers at {\approx}9-MeV excitation energies have been reported in several N = 83 isotones near Z = 64. Spin and parity assignments of J{^\pi} = 49/2+ remain tentative for a number of these states in the odd-A nuclei.…
We study the two-neutrino double-beta decay in 76Ge, 116Cd, 128Te, 130Te, and 150Nd, as well as the two Gamow-Teller branches that connect the double-beta decay partners with the states in the intermediate nuclei. We use a theoretical…
All existing positive results on two neutrino double beta decay in different nuclei were analyzed. Using the procedure recommended by the Particle Data Group, weighted average values for half-lives of $^{48}$Ca, $^{76}$Ge, $^{82}$Se,…
Recent results of the Heidelberg-Moscow double beta decay experiment are presented. After 8.6 kg$\cdot$a of measuring time no signal is seen for the neutrinoless decay mode. A half-life limit of $T_{1/2}^{0\nu\beta\beta} > 5.1\cdot…
We perform coincidence measurements between $\alpha$ particles and $\gamma$ rays from a $^{233}$U source to determine the half-lives of the excited state in a $^{229}$Th nucleus. We first prove that the half-lives of 42.43- and 164.53-keV…
The NEMO-3 experiment is searching for neutrinoless double beta decay for 2 main isotopes (100Mo and 82Se) and is studying the two-neutrino double beta decay of seven isotopes. The experiment has been taking data since 2003 and, up to the…
A radiopure cadmium tungstate crystal scintillator, enriched in $^{106}$Cd to 66%, with mass of 216 g ($^{106}$CdWO$_4$), was used to search for double beta decay processes in $^{106}$Cd in coincidence with four ultra-low background high…
$\alpha$ decay is a common and important process for natural radioactivity of heavy and superheavy nuclei. The $\alpha$ decay half-lives for even-even nuclei from Z=62 to Z=118 are systematically researched based on the two-potential…
$\beta$-decay rates play a decisive role in understanding the nucleosynthesis of heavy elements and are governed by microscopic nuclear-structure information. A sudden shortening of the half-lives of Ni isotopes beyond $N=50$ was observed…