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We use chiral interactions and several {\em ab initio} methods to compute the nuclear matrix elements (NMEs) for ground-state to ground-state double Gamow-Teller transitions in a range of isotopes, and explore the correlation of these NMEs with those for neutrinoless double beta decay produced by the exchange of a light Majorana neutrino. When all the NMEs of both isospin-conserving and isospin-changing transitions from the {\em ab initio} calculations are considered, the correlation is strong. For the experimentally relevant isospin-changing transitions by themselves, however, the correlation is weaker and may not be helpful for reducing the uncertainty in the NMEs for neutrinoless double-beta decay., Comment: 16 pages with 19 figures, Phys. Rev. C (in press)

Nuclear properties across the chart of nuclides are key to improving and validating our understanding of the strong interaction in nuclear physics. We present high-precision mass measurements of neutron-rich Fe isotopes performed at the TITAN facility. The multiple-reflection time-of-flight mass spectrometer (MR-ToF-MS), achieving a resolving power greater than $600\,000$ for the first time, enabled the measurement of $^{63-70}$Fe, including first-time high-precision direct measurements ($\delta m/m \sim 10^{-7}$) of $^{68-70}$Fe, as well as the discovery of a long-lived isomeric state in $^{69}$Fe. These measurements are accompanied by both mean-field and ab initio calculations using the most recent realizations which enable theoretical assignment of the spin-parities of the $^{69}$Fe ground and isomeric states. Together with mean-field calculations of quadrupole deformation parameters for the Fe isotope chain, these results benchmark a maximum of deformation in the $N = 40$ island of inversion in Fe, and shed light on trends in level densities indicated in the newly-refined mass surface., Comment: 9 pages, 6 figures

The hyperfine coupling constants of the proton dripline odd-odd $^{40}$Sc nucleus were deduced from the hyperfine spectrum of the $3d4s\,^3\text{D}_2$\,$\leftrightarrow$\,$3d4p\,^3\text{F}^\circ_3$ transition in Sc II, measured by the bunched beam collinear laser spectroscopy technique. The ground state magnetic dipole and electric quadrupole moments were determined for the first time as $\mu$\,=\,$+5.57(4)(2)\,\mu_N$ and $Q$\,=\,$+42(38)(28)\,e^2\;{\rm fm^2}$, respectively. The magnetic moment is well reproduced by the additivity rule with magnetic moments of neighboring odd-even nuclei in the vicinity of the doubly-magic $^{40}$Ca nucleus. An ab-initio multishell valence-space Hamiltonian was also employed to calculate the magnetic moment of $^{40}$Sc, which spans across the $sd$ and $fp$ nuclear shells, where we obtained good agreements.

Collinear laser spectroscopy is performed on the nickel isotopes Ni58-68,70, using a time-resolved photon counting system. From the measured isotope shifts, nuclear charge radii Rc are extracted and compared to theoretical results. Three ab initio approaches all employ, among others, the chiral interaction NNLOsat, which allows an assessment of their accuracy. We find agreement with experiment in differential radii δ⟨rc2⟩ for all employed ab initio methods and interactions, while the absolute radii are consistent with data only for NNLOsat. Within nuclear density functional theory, the Skyrme functional SV-min matches experiment more closely than the Fayans functional Fy(Δr,HFB). Collinear laser spectroscopy is performed on the nickel isotopes $^{58-68,70}$Ni, using a time-resolved photon counting system. From the measured isotope shifts, nuclear charge radii $R_c$ are extracted and compared to theoretical results. Three ab initio approaches all employ, among others, the chiral interaction NNLO$_{\rm sat}$, which allows an assessment of their accuracy. We find agreement with experiment in differential radii $\delta \left\langle r_\mathrm{c}^2 \right\rangle$ for all employed ab initio methods and interactions, while the absolute radii are consistent with data only for NNLO$_{\rm sat}$. Within nuclear density functional theory, the Skyrme functional SV-min matches experiment more closely than the Fayans functional Fy($\Delta r$,HFB).

In spite of the high-density and strongly correlated nature of the atomic nucleus, experimental and theoretical evidence suggests that around particular 'magic' numbers of nucleons, nuclear properties are governed by a single unpaired nucleon1,2. A microscopic understanding of the extent of this behaviour and its evolution in neutron-rich nuclei remains an open question in nuclear physics3-5. The indium isotopes are considered a textbook example of this phenomenon6, in which the constancy of their electromagnetic properties indicated that a single unpaired proton hole can provide the identity of a complex many-nucleon system6,7. Here we present precision laser spectroscopy measurements performed to investigate the validity of this simple single-particle picture. Observation of an abrupt change in the dipole moment at N = 82 indicates that, whereas the single-particle picture indeed dominates at neutron magic number N = 82 (refs. 2,8), it does not for previously studied isotopes. To investigate the microscopic origin of these observations, our work provides a combined effort with developments in two complementary nuclear many-body methods: ab initio valence-space in-medium similarity renormalization group and density functional theory (DFT). We find that the inclusion of time-symmetry-breaking mean fields is essential for a correct description of nuclear magnetic properties, which were previously poorly constrained. These experimental and theoretical findings are key to understanding how seemingly simple single-particle phenomena naturally emerge from complex interactions among protons and neutrons. ispartof: NATURE vol:607 issue:7918 pages:260-+ ispartof: location:England status: published

We present converged ab initio calculations of structure factors for elastic spin-dependent WIMP scattering off all nuclei used in dark matter direct-detection searches: $^{19}$F, $^{23}$Na, $^{27}$Al, $^{29}$Si, $^{73}$Ge, $^{127}$I, and $^{129,131}$Xe. From a set of established two- and three-nucleon interactions derived within chiral effective field theory, we construct consistent WIMP-nucleon currents at the one-body level, including effects from axial-vector two-body currents. We then apply the in-medium similarity renormalization group to construct effective valence-space Hamiltonians and consistently transformed operators of nuclear responses. Combining the recent advances of natural orbitals with three-nucleon forces expressed in large spaces, we obtain basis-space converged structure factors even in heavy nuclei. Generally results are consistent with previous calculations, but large uncertainties in $^{127}$I highlight the need for further study., 6 pages, 3 figures, supplemental material included

Collinear laser spectroscopy of the N=Z=21 self-conjugate nucleus 42Sc has been performed at the JYFL IGISOL IV facility in order to determine the change in nuclear mean-square charge radius between the Iπ=0+ ground state and the Iπ=7+ isomer via the measurement of the 42g,42mSc isomer shift. New multi-configurational Dirac-Fock calculations for the atomic mass shift and field shift factors have enabled a recalibration of the charge radii of the 42−46Sc isotopes which were measured previously. While consistent with the treatment of proton-neutron, proton-proton and neutron-neutron pairing on an equal footing, the reduction in size for the isomer is observed to be of a significantly larger magnitude than that expected from both shell-model and ab-initio calculations. The measured nuclear magnetic dipole moment and electric quadruple moment, on the other hand, are in good agreement with simple empirical estimates and shell-model calculations. Collinear laser spectroscopy of the $N=Z=21$ self-conjugate nucleus $^{42}$Sc has been performed at the JYFL IGISOL IV facility in order to determine the change in nuclear mean-square charge radius between the $I^{\pi}=0^{+}$ ground state and the $I^{\pi}=7^{+}$ isomer via the measurement of the $^{42\mathrm{g},42\mathrm{m}}$Sc isomer shift. New multi-configurational Dirac-Fock calculations for the atomic mass shift and field shift factors have enabled a recalibration of the charge radii of the $^{42-46}$Sc isotopes which were measured previously. While consistent with the treatment of proton-neutron, proton-proton and neutron-neutron pairing on an equal footing, the reduction in size for the isomer is observed to be of a significantly larger magnitude than that expected from both shell model and ab-initio calculations.

In spite of the high-density and strongly correlated nature of the atomic nucleus, experimental and theoretical evidence suggests that around particular 'magic' numbers of nucleons, nuclear properties are governed by a single unpaired nucleon

We calculate basis-space converged neutrinoless $\ensuremath{\beta}\ensuremath{\beta}$-decay nuclear matrix elements for the lightest candidates: $^{48}\mathrm{Ca}$, $^{76}\mathrm{Ge}$, and $^{82}\mathrm{Se}$. Starting from initial two- and three-nucleon forces, we apply the ab initio in-medium similarity renormalization group to construct valence-space Hamiltonians and consistently transformed $\ensuremath{\beta}\ensuremath{\beta}$-decay operators. We find that the tensor component is non-negligible in $^{76}\mathrm{Ge}$ and $^{82}\mathrm{Se}$, and the resulting nuclear matrix elements are overall 25%--45% smaller than those obtained from the phenomenological shell model. While a final matrix element with uncertainties still requires substantial developments, this work nevertheless opens a path toward a true first-principles calculation of neutrinoless $\ensuremath{\beta}\ensuremath{\beta}$ decay in all nuclei relevant for ongoing large-scale searches.

In this work we present the first steps towards benchmarking isospin symmetry breaking in ab initio nuclear theory for calculations of superallowed Fermi $\beta$-decay. Using the valence-space in-medium similarity renormalization group, we calculate b and c coefficients of the isobaric multiplet mass equation, starting from two different Hamiltonians constructed from chiral effective field theory. We compare results to experimental measurements for all T=1 isobaric analogue triplets of relevance to superallowed $\beta$-decay for masses A=10 to A=74 and find an overall agreement within approximately 250 keV of experimental data for both b and c coefficients. A greater level of accuracy, however, is obtained by a phenomenological Skyrme interaction or a classical charged-sphere estimate. Finally, we show that evolution of the valence-space operator does not meaningfully improve the quality of the coefficients with respect to experimental data, which indicates that higher-order many-body effects are likely not responsible for the observed discrepancies., Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures, 2 tables

We report high-precision mass measurements of $^{50--55}\mathrm{Sc}$ isotopes performed at the LEBIT facility at NSCL and at the TITAN facility at TRIUMF. Our results provide a substantial reduction of their uncertainties and indicate significant deviations, up to 0.7 MeV, from the previously recommended mass values for $^{53--55}\mathrm{Sc}$. The results of this work provide an important update to the description of emerging closed-shell phenomena at neutron numbers $N=32$ and $N=34$ above proton-magic $Z=20$. In particular, they finally enable a complete and precise characterization of the trends in ground state binding energies along the $N=32$ isotone, confirming that the empirical neutron shell gap energies peak at the doubly magic $^{52}\mathrm{Ca}$. Moreover, our data, combined with other recent measurements, do not support the existence of a closed neutron shell in $^{55}\mathrm{Sc}$ at $N=34$. The results were compared to predictions from both ab initio and phenomenological nuclear theories, which all had success describing $N=32$ neutron shell gap energies but were highly disparate in the description of the $N=34$ isotone.

Hyperfine spectra of $^\text{27-32}$Al ($Z=13$) have been measured at the ISOLDE-CERN facility via collinear laser spectroscopy using the $3s^23p\ ^2\text{P}^\text{o} _{3/2}\rightarrow 3s^24s\ ^2\text{S}_{1/2}$ atomic transition. For the first time, mean-square charge radii of radioactive aluminum isotopes have been determined alongside the previously unknown magnetic dipole moment of $^{29}$Al and electric quadrupole moments of $^{29,30}$Al. A potentially reduced charge radius at $N=19$ may suggest an effect of the $N=20$ shell closure, which is visible in the Al chain, contrary to other isotopic chains in the $sd$ shell. The experimental results are compared to theoretical calculations in the framework of the valence-space in-medium similarity renormalization group using multiple sets of two and three-nucleon forces from chiral effective field theory. While the trend of experimental magnetic dipole and electric quadrupole moments is well reproduced, the absolute values are underestimated by theory, consistent with earlier studies. Moreover, both the scale and trend of the charge radii appear to be very sensitive to the chosen interaction.

100Sn is of singular interest for nuclear structure. Its closed-shell proton and neutron configuration exhibit exceptional binding and 100Sn is the heaviest nucleus comprising protons and neutrons in equal number, a feature that enhances the contribution of the short-range, proton-neutron pairing interaction and strongly influences its decay via the weak interaction. Decays studies in the region of 100Sn have attempted to prove its doubly magic character but few have studied it from the ab initio theoretical perspective and none have addressed the odd-proton nuclear forces. Here we present, the first direct measurement of the exotic odd-proton nuclide 100In - the beta-decay daughter of 100Sn - and 99In, only one proton below 100Sn. The most advanced mass spectrometry techniques were used to measure 99In, produced at a rate of only a few ions per second, and to resolve the ground and isomeric states in 101In. The experimental results are confronted with new ab initio many-body approaches. The 100-fold improvement in precision of the 100In mass value exarcebates a striking discrepancy in the atomic mass values of 100Sn deduced from recent beta-decay results., 12 pages, 4 figures, 1 Table

We calculate basis-space converged neutrinoless ββ-decay nuclear matrix elements for the lightest candidates: ^{48}Ca, ^{76}Ge, and ^{82}Se. Starting from initial two- and three-nucleon forces, we apply the ab initio in-medium similarity renormalization group to construct valence-space Hamiltonians and consistently transformed ββ-decay operators. We find that the tensor component is non-negligible in ^{76}Ge and ^{82}Se, and the resulting nuclear matrix elements are overall 25%-45% smaller than those obtained from the phenomenological shell model. While a final matrix element with uncertainties still requires substantial developments, this work nevertheless opens a path toward a true first-principles calculation of neutrinoless ββ decay in all nuclei relevant for ongoing large-scale searches.

We report high-precision mass measurements of ^{50-55}Sc isotopes performed at the LEBIT facility at NSCL and at the TITAN facility at TRIUMF. Our results provide a substantial reduction of their uncertainties and indicate significant deviations, up to 0.7 MeV, from the previously recommended mass values for ^{53-55}Sc. The results of this work provide an important update to the description of emerging closed-shell phenomena at neutron numbers N=32 and N=34 above proton-magic Z=20. In particular, they finally enable a complete and precise characterization of the trends in ground state binding energies along the N=32 isotone, confirming that the empirical neutron shell gap energies peak at the doubly magic ^{52}Ca. Moreover, our data, combined with other recent measurements, do not support the existence of a closed neutron shell in ^{55}Sc at N=34. The results were compared to predictions from both ab initio and phenomenological nuclear theories, which all had success describing N=32 neutron shell gap energies but were highly disparate in the description of the N=34 isotone.

A recently modified method to enable low-energy nuclear scattering results to be extracted from the discrete energy levels of the target-projectile clusters confined by harmonic potential traps is tested. We report encouraging results for neutron--$\alpha$ and neutron--$^{24}\mathrm{O}$ elastic scattering from analyzing the trapped levels computed using two different ab initio nuclear structure methods. The $n$--$\alpha$ results have also been checked against a direct ab initio reaction calculation. The $n$--$^{24}\mathrm{O}$ results demonstrate the approach's applicability for a large range of systems provided their spectra in traps can be computed by ab initio methods. A key ingredient is a rigorous understanding of the errors in the calculated energy levels caused by inevitable Hilbert-space truncations in the ab initio methods., Comment: Close to the published version; ancillary files attached; modifications: (1) the naming of the method is changed in the title and text, (2) a concentrated discussion of error sources is included in the main text, and (3) comparisons with existing methods are included in the supplemental material

In the shell-model framework, valence-space Hamiltonians connecting multiple major-oscillator shells are of key interest for investigating the physics of neutron-rich nuclei, which have been the subject of intense experimental activity for decades. Here we present an extension of the ab initio valence-space in-medium similarity renormalization group which allows the derivation of such Hamiltonians nonperturbatively. Starting from initial two- and three-nucleon forces from chiral effective field theory, we then calculate properties of nuclei in the important island-of-inversion region above oxygen, so far unexplored with ab initio methods. Our results in the neon and magnesium isotopes indicate the importance of neutron excitation from the $sd$ to $pf$ shells and ground states dominated by intruder configurations around $N=20$, consistent with the conclusions from phenomenological studies. We also benchmark the excitation spectrum of $^{16}$O with coupled-cluster theory, finding generally good agreement, and discuss implications for ground state energies and charge radii in oxygen and calcium isotopes. Finally we outline the proper procedure for treating the long-standing issue of center-of-mass contamination, and show that with a particular choice of valence space, these spurious states can be removed successfully., 11 pages, 9 figures, published version

To test the predictive power of ab initio nuclear structure theory, the lifetime of the second 2(+) state in neutron-rich O-20, tau(2(2)(+)) = 150(-30)(+80) fs, and an estimate for the lifetime of ...

We report ab initio benchmark calculations of nuclear matrix elements (NMEs) for neutrinoless double-beta ($0\nu\beta\beta$) decays in light nuclei with mass number ranging from $A=6$ to $A=22$. We use the transition operator derived from light-Majorana neutrino exchange and evaluate the NME with three different methods: two variants of in-medium similarity renormalization group (IMSRG) and importance-truncated no-core shell model (IT-NCSM). The same two-plus-three-nucleon interaction from chiral effective field theory is employed, and both isospin-conserving ($\Delta T=0$) and isospin-changing ($\Delta T=2$) transitions are studied. We compare our resulting ground-state energies and NMEs to those of recent ab initio no-core shell model and coupled-cluster calculations, also with the same inputs. We show that the NMEs of $\Delta T=0$ transitions are in good agreement among all calculations, at the level of 10%. For $\Delta T=2$, relative deviations are more significant in some nuclei. The comparison with the exact IT-NCSM result allows us to analyze these cases in detail, and indicates the next steps towards improving the IMSRG-based approaches. The present study clearly demonstrates the power of consistent cross-checks that are made possible by ab initio methodology. This capability is crucial for providing meaningful many-body uncertainties in the NMEs for the $0\nu\beta\beta$ decays in heavier candidate nuclei, where quasi-exact benchmarks are not available., Comment: 16 pages with 15 figures, PRC in press

We predict the limits of existence of atomic nuclei, the proton and neutron drip lines, from the light through medium-mass regions. Starting from a chiral two- and three-nucleon interaction with good saturation properties, we use the valence-space in-medium similarity renormalization group to calculate ground-state and separation energies from helium to iron, nearly 700 isotopes in total. We use the available experimental data to quantify the theoretical uncertainties for our ab initio calculations towards the drip lines. Where the drip lines are known experimentally, our predictions are consistent within the estimated uncertainty. For the neutron-rich sodium to chromium isotopes, we provide predictions to be tested at rare-isotope beam facilities., Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures, supplementary material included; accepted for publication in Physical Review Letters

Three-nucleon interactions are a frontier in understanding and predicting the structure of strongly-interacting matter in laboratory nuclei and in the cosmos. We present results and discuss the status of first calculations with microscopic three-nucleon interactions beyond light nuclei. This coherent effort is possible due to advances based on effective field theory and renormalization group methods in nuclear physics., 7 pages, 11 figures, talk at International Symposium on New Facet of Three-Nucleon Force (FM50), Tokyo, October, 2007

We present shell model calculations for the beta decay of 14C to the 14N ground state, treating the states of the A=14 multiplet as two 0p holes in an 16O core. We employ low-momentum nucleon-nucleon (NN) interactions derived from the realistic Bonn-B potential and find that the Gamow-Teller (GT) matrix element is too large to describe the known lifetime. By using a modified version of this potential that incorporates the effects of Brown-Rho scaling medium modifications, we find that the GT matrix element vanishes for a nuclear density around 85% that of nuclear matter. We find that the splitting between the (J(pi),T)=(1(+),0) and (J(pi),T)=(0(+),1) states in 14N is improved using the medium-modified Bonn-B potential and that the transition strengths from excited states of 14C to the 14N ground state are compatible with recent experiments.

High-energy-resolution inelastic electron scattering (at the S-DALINAC) and proton scattering (at iThemba LABS) experiments permit a thorough test of the nature of proposed one- and two-phonon symmetric and mixed-symmetric 2+ states of the nucleus 94Mo. The combined analysis reveals the one-phonon content of the mixed-symmetry state and its isovector character suggested by microscopic nuclear model calculations. The purity of two-phonon 2+ states is extracted.

Using a program of mostly non-destructive-testing, the foundation capacity of a nearly 100-year old bridge was determined at a fraction of the cost of what a conventional approach would have cost. Initial proposals to determine the foundation size, depth, and integrity using an invasive/destructive approach of test pits, borings, and coring had substantial costs. The municipality accepted an alternative proposal to perform a combination of non-destructive testing and limited destructive testing. The program incorporated Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), dispersive technology, and limited borings. GRP was used to determine the reinforcing abutments, thickness of the abutment, and if abutments and piers has footings. Dispersive wave technology was used to determine the thickness of the abutment, the depth of abutment, and the general quality of the concrete. Conventional borings were done to sample the concrete, calibrate the NDE, and determine the founding materials. Using this combination of complementary NDE and limited destructive testing, very few assumptions were necessary to determine the foundation capacity and integrity of the nearly 100-year old foundations at a fraction of the cost of an invasive/destructive evaluation.

The Air Force Wright Research and Development Center and the Arnold Engineering Development Center are continuing a program for measuring optical effects of satellite material outgassing products on cryo-optic surfaces. Presented here are infrared (4000 to 700 cm(-1)) transmittance data for contaminant films condensed on a 77 K geranium window. From the transmittance data, the contaminant film refractive and absorptive indices (n, k) were derived using an analytical thin-film interference model with a nonlinear least-squares algorithm. To date 19 materials have been studied with the optical contents determined for 13 of those. The materials include adhesives, paints, composites, films, and lubricants. This program is continuing and properties for other materials will be available in the future.

SUMMARY Several models for dependent competing risk data are considered. It is assumed that the effects of certain risk factors or treatments are of primary interest and such effects are written as regression parameters in a proportional cause-specific hazards model. Techniques based on marginally sufficient statistics and partial likelihood are used for their estimation. Efficiency comparisons are made among estimates based on the suggested models. Special attention is given to the analysis of matched pair data and the methods are illustrated in a detailed analysis of data obtained from an ongoing Swedish twin study. It is well known that competing causes of death must be taken into account in the study of how risk factors affect a specific cause of death or disease. To cite an extreme example (Cornfield, 1957), if smoking not only increases the instantaneous chance of contracting lung cancer but also causes a large increase in the chance of dying from other causes, then the observed proportion of lung cancer deaths over a study period could be greater in nonsmokers than smokers because the early deaths of smokers from other causes would tend to preclude them from dying of lung cancer. In a study of surgically treated breast cancer patients Cutler, Axtell & Shottenfeld (1969) found that a reduction in survival in older patients relative to younger patients disappeared when the increased mortality at older ages due to other causes was taken into account. In studies of therapy for the treatment of leukaemia, deaths due to infection should be considered as a competing cause lest this potentially controllable cause of death obscures the potential benefit of therapy. Cornfield's paper presents a good elementary account of the competing risk problem and Cox (1959) provides a fundamental paper on models for competing risks. In this paper, models and analyses are considered for studying the effects of risk factors

Three categorical traits, namely breast fat, back fat and fleshing grades, and four continuous traits, represented by abdominal fat pad as a percent of carcass weight, percent carcass fat, percent carcass moisture and percent carcass protein were studied in broilers. The data were derived from a large general study involving four experiments. Results suggested independence of fat and fleshing traits. The various measures of fat and fleshing exhibited an intermediate level of heritability (0.26–0.60). The results suggest that carcass grades may be useful in a breeding program aimed at the reduction of fat in broiler carcasses, particularly where carcass grades can be established on large numbers of identified progeny in a killing plant. Furthermore, the low correlations between fat and fleshing grades negates the industry view that the problems of excess fat is associated with poor fleshing. In fact the genetic parameters indicate that the establishment of lines of fast growing, lean, well fleshed broilers should be feasible. Key words: Broilers, fat, categorical traits

Several models for paired failure time data are considered. It is assumed that the effects of certain risk factors or treatments are of primary interest and such effects are written as regression parameters in a proportional hazards model. Techniques based on marginally sufficient statistics are proposed for their estimation. Efficiency comparisons are made among estimates based on the suggested models and special attention is given to the study of bias and efficiency in the presence of censoring. Some comparisons are made between the models and analyses presented here and analyses based on study period survival and a binary logistic model for regression parameters.