Centuries of observations on atomic nuclei near stability have indicated a characteristic spherical shape for nuclides with the so-called “magic number” of protons or neutrons. Modern experiments that delve into exotic nuclides far from stability have revealed that the magic numbers are not as immutable as they were once held to be. Experiments which probe the mixing of spherical and deformed nuclear shapes will be presented. The evidence establishes the dominance of deformed states in 32 Mg, a nuclide with a traditionally magic number of neutrons. New questions are raised about the whereabouts of the anticipated spherical states. Future avenues of research that explore shape mixing in unstable nuclides will be discussed, including novel analysis methods enabled by machine learning techniques, and the development of reaction target systems that provide crucial insight to the reaction dynamics.
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OWU Sponsoring Organization/Office: Ohio Wesleyan University
Contact: Robert Harmon at roharmon@owu.edu