Acceleration induced neutron emission in heavy nuclei

The effect of the acceleration of a nucleus on the neutron states is studied in the frame of the independent-particle nuclear shell model. For this we solve numerically the time-dependent Schrodinger equation, with a moving mean-field of Woods-Saxon type. The time evolution of a neutron states at th...

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Main Authors: N. Carjan, M. Rizea
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2020-08-01
Series:Physics Letters B
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0370269320304135
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author N. Carjan
M. Rizea
author_facet N. Carjan
M. Rizea
author_sort N. Carjan
collection DOAJ
description The effect of the acceleration of a nucleus on the neutron states is studied in the frame of the independent-particle nuclear shell model. For this we solve numerically the time-dependent Schrodinger equation, with a moving mean-field of Woods-Saxon type. The time evolution of a neutron states at the Fermi level is calculated for U236 and acceleration parameter A=0.5 (in 1044 [fm/sec2]). It is the acceleration during the Coulomb repulsion of two U236 nuclei when they are 20 fm apart. We keep this acceleration constant for 10−21 sec before we switch it off (A=0) and follow the wave packet for another 10−21 sec. During the acceleration, the wave function oscillates with increasing amplitude until it escapes, mainly in the direction opposite to the motion of the nucleus. The mean value of its energy (in the nuclear system) increases from −4.80 MeV to −3.15 MeV and 12% of the wave packet leaves the nucleus. During the uniform motion, the wave packet continues to oscillate and to escape at a lower rate: an extra 2%. We repeated the calculations for two neighboring states and found the emission rate to depend strongly on the position of the neutron state with respect to the Fermi energy. Finally, the effect of the nuclear deformation on the acceleration induced neutron emission is studied. In this case the period of oscillation is larger and the amplitude smaller. The angular distribution with respect to the direction of motion is more complex: it has, in the nuclear system, an intense component almost perpendicular to the deformation axis.
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spelling doaj.art-c1dd335360fb4f62afa70dc6733fc4d92022-12-21T23:27:05ZengElsevierPhysics Letters B0370-26932020-08-01807135610Acceleration induced neutron emission in heavy nucleiN. Carjan0M. Rizea1National Institute for Physics and Nuclear Engineering “Horia Hulubei”, Str. Reactorului no. 30, P.O. BOX MG-6, Bucharest - Magurele, Romania; CENBG, University of Bordeaux, 33175 Gradignan, France; Corresponding author.National Institute for Physics and Nuclear Engineering “Horia Hulubei”, Str. Reactorului no. 30, P.O. BOX MG-6, Bucharest - Magurele, RomaniaThe effect of the acceleration of a nucleus on the neutron states is studied in the frame of the independent-particle nuclear shell model. For this we solve numerically the time-dependent Schrodinger equation, with a moving mean-field of Woods-Saxon type. The time evolution of a neutron states at the Fermi level is calculated for U236 and acceleration parameter A=0.5 (in 1044 [fm/sec2]). It is the acceleration during the Coulomb repulsion of two U236 nuclei when they are 20 fm apart. We keep this acceleration constant for 10−21 sec before we switch it off (A=0) and follow the wave packet for another 10−21 sec. During the acceleration, the wave function oscillates with increasing amplitude until it escapes, mainly in the direction opposite to the motion of the nucleus. The mean value of its energy (in the nuclear system) increases from −4.80 MeV to −3.15 MeV and 12% of the wave packet leaves the nucleus. During the uniform motion, the wave packet continues to oscillate and to escape at a lower rate: an extra 2%. We repeated the calculations for two neighboring states and found the emission rate to depend strongly on the position of the neutron state with respect to the Fermi energy. Finally, the effect of the nuclear deformation on the acceleration induced neutron emission is studied. In this case the period of oscillation is larger and the amplitude smaller. The angular distribution with respect to the direction of motion is more complex: it has, in the nuclear system, an intense component almost perpendicular to the deformation axis.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0370269320304135Neutron emissionAccelerationMoving potentialTime-dependent Schrödinger equation
spellingShingle N. Carjan
M. Rizea
Acceleration induced neutron emission in heavy nuclei
Physics Letters B
Neutron emission
Acceleration
Moving potential
Time-dependent Schrödinger equation
title Acceleration induced neutron emission in heavy nuclei
title_full Acceleration induced neutron emission in heavy nuclei
title_fullStr Acceleration induced neutron emission in heavy nuclei
title_full_unstemmed Acceleration induced neutron emission in heavy nuclei
title_short Acceleration induced neutron emission in heavy nuclei
title_sort acceleration induced neutron emission in heavy nuclei
topic Neutron emission
Acceleration
Moving potential
Time-dependent Schrödinger equation
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0370269320304135
work_keys_str_mv AT ncarjan accelerationinducedneutronemissioninheavynuclei
AT mrizea accelerationinducedneutronemissioninheavynuclei