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We have recently developed a nuclear model, specially designed to describe double charge exchange (DCE) processes,which is a natural extension of the $pn$-QRPA model for $\beta$-decay to $\beta\beta$-decay. Ergo, this model, in addition to including the pairing correlations and having the same number of free parameters, brings into play the $ppnn$-quasiparticle excitations and the Pauli Principle, which are essential ingredients to correctly account for the nuclear matrix elements (NMEs) for $\beta\beta$-decays and nuclear reactions to all $0^+$ and $2^+$ final states, including resonances, and not just to the ground state as in $pn$-QRPA. In addition, it allows us to evaluate the $Q_{\beta\beta}$-values, and the excitation energies in final nucleus, and to work with a single-particle space large enough for the DCE sum rules to be satisfied. So far it has been applied to the $2\nu\beta\beta$-decay, and here we extend it to the $0\nu\beta\beta$-decay. The model that comes closest in terms of its advantages is the shell model. We describe here the DCE observables in: i) $^{76}$Se, which have been recently measured in the GERDA and MAJORANA Experiments, and ii) $^{124}$Te, for which has been reported recently the first direct observation of $2\nu$ double electron capture with the XENON1T Dark Matter detector. A good agreement with the data is obtained for both the ground state and the excited states. We have found that the reaction and $0\nu\beta\beta$-decay NMEs are of the same order of magnitude even in the region of giant resonances., Comment: 15 pages,4 figures

A new model, based on the BCS approach, is specially designed to describe nuclear phenomena $(A,Z)\rightarrow (A,Z\pm 2)$ of double-charge exchange (DCE). After being proposed, and applied in the particle-hole limit, by one of the authors (F. Krmpoti\'c [1]), so far it was never been applied within the BCS mean-field framework, nor has its ability to describe DCE processes been thoroughly explored. It is a natural extension of the pn-QRPA model, developed by Halbleib and Sorensen [2] to describe the single $\beta$-decays $(A,Z)\rightarrow (A,Z\pm 1)$, to the DCE processes. As such, it exhibits several advantages over the pn-QRPA model when is used in the evaluation of the double beta decay (DBD) rates. For instance, i) the extreme sensitivity of the nuclear matrix elements (NMEs) on the model parametrization does not occur, ii) it allows to study NMEs, not only for the fundamental state in daughter nuclei, as the pn-QRPA model does, but also for all final $0^+$ and $2^+$ states, accounting at the same time their excitation energies and the corresponding DBD Q-values, iii) together with the DBD-NMEs it provides also the energy spectra of Fermi and Gamow-Teller DCE transition strengths, as well as the locations of the corresponding resonances and their sum rules, iv) the latter are relevant for both the DBD and the DCE reactions, since the involved nuclear structure is the same; this correlation does not exist within the pn-QRPA model. As an example, detailed numerical calculations are presented for the $(A,Z)\rightarrow (A,Z+ 2)$ process in $^{48}$Ca $\rightarrow ^{48}$Ti and the $(A,Z)\rightarrow (A,Z- 2)$ process in $^{96}$Ru $\rightarrow ^{96}$Mo, involving all final $0^+$ states and $2^+$ states., Comment: 17 pages, 9 figures. To be submitted to Phys. Rev. C

We present a study of the nonmesonic weak decay (NMWD) of charmed hypernuclei using a relativistic formalism. We work within the framework of the independent particle shell model and employ a ($\pi$,$K$) one-meson-exchange model for the decay dynamics. We implement a fully relativistic treatment of nuclear recoil. Numerical results are obtained for the one-neutron-induced transition NMWD rates of the $_{\Lambda^{+}_{c}}^{12}$N. The effect of nuclear recoil is sizable and goes in the direction to decrease the nuclear decay rate. We found that the NMWD decay rate of $_{\Lambda^{+}_{c}}^{12}$N is of the same order of magnitude as the partial decay rate for the corresponding mesonic decay $\Lambda^+_c \rightarrow \Lambda + \pi^+$, suggesting the feasibility of experimental detection of such heavy-flavor nuclear processes., Comment: 24 pages, 3 figures

The one-QRPA method is used to describe simultaneously both double decay beta modes, giving special attention to the partial restoration of spin-isospin SU(4) symmetry. To implement this restoration and to fix the model parameters, we resort to the energetics of Gamow-Teller resonances and to the minima of the single $\beta^+$-decay strengths. This makes the theory predictive regarding the $\beta\beta_{2\nu}$-decay, producing the $2\nu$ moments in $^{48}$Ca, $^{76}$Ge, $^{82}$Se, $^{96}$Zr, $^{100}$Mo, $^{128,130}$Te, and $^{150}$Nd, that are of the same order of magnitude as the experimental ones; however, the agreement with $\beta\beta_{2\nu}$ data is only modest. To include contributions coming from induced nuclear weak currents, we extend the $\beta\beta_{0\nu}$-decay formalism employed previously in C. Barbero et. al, Nuc. Phys. A628, 170 (1998). The numerical results for the $\beta\beta_{0\nu}$ moments in the above mentioned nuclei are similar to those obtained in other theoretical studies although smaller on averag by $\sim 40\%$. We attribute this difference basically to the one-QRPA-method, employed here for the first time, instead of the currently used two-QRPA-method. The difference is partially due to the way of carrying out the restoration of the spin-isospin symmetry. It is hard to say which is the best way to make the restoration, since the $\beta\beta_{0\nu}$ moments are not experimentally measurable. The numerical uncertainties in the $\beta\beta$ moments, related with i) their strong dependence on the residual interaction in the p-p channel when evaluated within the QRPA, and ii) lack of proper knowledge of single-particle energies, have been quantified. It is concluded that the partial restoration of the SU (4) symmetry is crucial in the description of the $\beta\beta$-decays, regardless of the nuclear model used., Comment: 18 pages, 4 figures, accepted for publication in Physical Review C

Having in mind its future extension for theoretical investigations related to charmed nuclei, we develop a relativistic formalism for the nonmesonic weak decay of single-$\Lambda$ hypernuclei in the framework of the independent-particle shell model and with the dynamics represented by the $(\pi,K)$ one-meson-exchange model. Numerical results for the one-nucleon-induced transition rates of ${}^{12}_{\Lambda}\textrm{C}$ are presented and compared with those obtained in the analogous nonrelativistic calculation. There is satisfactory agreement between the two approaches, and the most noteworthy difference is that the ratio $\Gamma_{n}/\Gamma_{p}$ is appreciably higher and closer to the experimental value in the relativistic calculation. Large discrepancies between ours and previous relativistic calculations are found, for which we do not encounter any fully satisfactory explanation. The most recent experimental data is well reproduced by our results. In summary, we have achieved our purpose to develop a reliable model for the relativistic calculation of the nonmesonic weak decay of $\Lambda$-hypernuclei, which can now be extended to evaluate similar processes in charmed nuclei.

A novel comparison between the data and the theory is proposed for the nonmesonic (NM) weak decay of hypernuclei. Instead of confronting the primary decay rates, as is usually done, we focus attention on the effective decay rates that are straightforwardly related with the number of emitted particles. Proton kinetic energy spectra of $^5_\Lambda$He, $^7_\Lambda$Li, $^9_\Lambda$Be, $^{11}_\Lambda$B, $^{12}_{\Lambda}$C, $^{13}_\Lambda$C, $^{15}_{\Lambda}$N and $^{16}_{\Lambda}$O, measured by FINUDA, are evaluated theoretically. The Independent Particle Shell Model (IPSM) is used as the nuclear structure framework, while the dynamics is described by the One-Meson-Exchange (OME) potential. Only for the $^{5}_{\Lambda}$He, $^{7}_{\Lambda}$Li, and $^{12}_{\Lambda}$C hypernuclei is it possible to make a comparison with the data, since for the rest there is no published experimental information on number of produced hypernuclei. Considering solely the one-nucleon-induced ($1N$-NM) decay channel, the theory reproduces correctly the shapes of all three spectra at medium and high energies ($E_p \geq 40 $ MeV). Yet, it greatly overestimates their magnitudes, as well as the corresponding transition rates when the full OME ($\pi+K+ \eta+\rho+\omega+K^*$) model is used. The agreement is much improved when only the $\pi+K$ mesons with soft dipole cutoff parameters participate in the decay process. We find that the IPSM is a fair first order approximation to disentangle the dynamics of the $1N$-NM decay, the knowledge of which is indispensable to inquire about the baryon-baryon strangeness-flipping interaction. It is shown that the IPSM provides very useful insights regarding the determination the $2N$-NM decay rate. In a new analysis of the FINUDA data, we derive two results for this quantity with one of them close to that obtained previously.

The nonmesonic weak decay spectra of light hypernuclei have been evaluated in a systematic way. As theoretical framework we adopt the independent particle shell model with three different one-meson-exchange transition potentials. Good agreement with data is obtained for proton and neutron kinetic energy spectra of $^4_\Lambda$He, and $^5_\Lambda$He, when the recoil effect is considered. The coincidence spectra of proton-neutron pairs are also accounted for quite reasonably, but it was not possible to reproduce the data for the neutron-neutron pair spectra. It is suggested that the $\pi+K$ meson-exchange model with soft monopole form factors could be a good starting point for describing the dynamics responsible for the decays of these two hypernuclei. The $^4_\Lambda$H~ spectra are also presented., Comment: 11 pages, 4 figures

We extend the formalism of weak interaction processes, obtaining new expressions for the transition rates, which greatly facilitate numerical calculations, both for neutrino-nucleus reactions and muon capture. We have done a thorough study of exclusive (ground state) properties of $^{12}$B and $^{12}$N within the projected quasiparticle random phase approximation (PQRPA). Good agreement with experimental data is achieved in this way. The inclusive neutrino/antineutrino ($\nu/\tilde{\nu}$) reactions $^{12}$C($\nu,e^-)^{12}$N and $^{12}$C($\tilde{\nu},e^+)^{12}$B are calculated within both the PQRPA, and the relativistic QRPA (RQRPA). It is found that the magnitudes of the resulting cross-sections: i) are close to the sum-rule limit at low energy, but significantly smaller than this limit at high energies both for $\nu$ and $\tilde{\nu}$, ii) they steadily increase when the size of the configuration space is augmented, and particulary for $\nu/\tilde{\nu}$ energies $> 200$ MeV, and iii) converge for sufficiently large configuration space and final state spin., Comment: Proceedings of the International Nuclear Physics Conference 2010, Vancouver, BC - Canada 4-9 Jul 2010

We study the nonmesonic weak decay (NMWD) $\Lambda N \to nN$ of the ${}^{12}_{\Lambda} C$ hypernucleus induced by the nucleon $N=n,p$ with transition rate $\Gamma_N$. The nuclear process is described by the interplay of two models; one describing the NMWD of hyperon $\Lambda$ in the nuclear environment, and the other taking into account the Final State Interaction (FSI) of the two outgoing nucleons with the residual nucleus. The first one is done in the framework of the Independent-Particle Shell-Model (IPSM), with the decay dynamics represented by the exchange of $\pi+ \eta+ K+\rho+\omega+K^*$ mesons with usual parametrization. For the second one is used a time dependent multicollisional intranuclear cascade schema (implemented in the CRISP code - Collaboration Rio-S\~ao Paulo). The results obtained for inclusive and exclusive kinetic energy spectra, and the angular correlation are compared with recent data from KEK and FINUDA experiments. The calculated ratio $(\Gamma_n / \Gamma_p)^{\partial{\tiny FSI}}$, between the numbers of emitted back-to-back $nn$ and $np$ pairs, is in good agreement with the experimental data., Comment: Proceedings of the International Nuclear Physics Conference 2010, Vancouver, BC - Canada 4-9 Jul 2010

The conservation of the number of particles within the QRPA plays an important role in the evaluation muon capture rates in all light nuclei with A \precsim 30 . The violation of the CVC by the Coulomb field in this mass region is of minor importance, but this effect could be quite relevant for medium and heavy nuclei studied previously. The extreme sensitivity of the muon capture rates on the 'pp' coupling strength in nuclei with large neutron excess when described within the QRPA is pointed out. We reckon that the comparison between theory and data for the inclusive muon capture is not a fully satisfactory test on the nuclear model that is used. The exclusive muon transitions are much more robust for such a purpose., Comment: 7 pages, XXXIV edition of the Brazilian Workshop on Nuclear Physics, 5-10 June 2011, Foz de Igua\c{c}u, Paran\'a state, Brasil

We have evaluated the nonmesonic weak decay spectra within the independent-particle shell-model, and compared them with the recent measurements of: i) the single and double coincidence nucleon spectra in ${\mathrm{^{12}_{\Lambda}C}}$ performed at KEK, and ii) proton kinetic energy spectra in ${\mathrm{^{5}_{\Lambda}He}}$, ${\mathrm{^{7}_{\Lambda}Li}}$, ${\mathrm{^{9}_{\Lambda}Be}}$, ${\mathrm{^{11}_{\Lambda}B}}$, ${\mathrm{^{12}_{\Lambda}C}}$, ${\mathrm{^{13}_{\Lambda}C}}$, ${\mathrm{^{15}_{\Lambda}N}}$ and ${\mathrm{^{16}_{\Lambda}O}}$ done by FINUDA. Based on this comparison we argue that the extraction from the data of the three-body $\Lambda NN \rightarrow nNN$ induced decay rate, as done in these works, could be questionable., Comment: 15 pages, 8 figures

After a short introduction to the nonmesonic weak decay (NMWD) $\Lambda N\go nN$ of $\Lambda$-hypernuclei we discuss the long-standing puzzle on the ratio $\Gamma_n/\Gamma_p$, and some recent experimental evidences that signalized towards its final solution. Two versions of the Independent-Particle-Shell-Model (IPSM) are employed to account for the nuclear structure of the final residual nuclei. They are: (a) IPSM-a, where no correlation, except for the Pauli principle, is taken into account, and (b) IPSM-b, where the highly excited hole states are considered to be quasi-stationary and are described by Breit-Wigner distributions, whose widths are estimated from the experimental data. We evaluate the coincidence spectra in $^{4}_\Lambda$He, $^{5}_\Lambda$He, $^{12}_\Lambda$C, $^{16}_\Lambda$O, and $^{28}_\Lambda$Si, as a function of the sum of kinetic energies $E_{nN}=E_n+E_N$ for $N=n,p$. The recent Brookhaven National Laboratory experiment E788 on $^4_\Lambda$He, is interpreted within the IPSM . We found that the shapes of all the spectra are basically tailored by the kinematics of the corresponding phase space, depending very weakly on the dynamics, which is gauged here by the one-meson-exchange-potential. In spite of the straightforwardness of the approach a good agreement with data is achieved. This might be an indication that the final-state-interactions and the two-nucleon induced processes are not very important in the decay of this hypernucleus. We have also found that the $\pi+K$ exchange potential with soft vertex-form-factor cutoffs $(\Lambda_\pi\approx 0.7$ GeV, $\Lambda_K\approx 0.9$ GeV), is able to account simultaneously for the available experimental data related to $\Gamma_p$ and $\Gamma_n$ for $^4_\Lambda$H, $^4_\Lambda$He, and $^5_\Lambda$He., Comment: Proceedings of the 32nd Brazilian Workshop on Nuclear Physcis, \'Aguas de Lind\'oia, S\~ao Paulo, Brazil, 7-11 Sep 2009

We perform a self-consistent relativistic QRPA (RQRPA) calculation of $2\nu\b\b$-decay based on relativistic BCS (RBCS) mean field theory results for odd-odd intermediate nuclei $^{48}$Sc, $^{76}$As, $^{82}$Br, $^{100}$Tc, $^{128}$I, and $^{130}$I. The RBCS equations that resemble the non-relativistic ones are constructed from a Dirac-Gorkov variational functional. We use the parameter set $NL1$ for the $\sigma$, $\omega$ and $\rho$ mesons. The RQRPA equations are solved for the residual $\pi+\rho$ interaction by employing the same parameters used in the RBCS for the latter meson, and experimental values for the pion and nucleon. The RQRPA results for the ${2\nu}\b\b$ matrix elements are similar to those obtained within the QRPA and the shell model., Comment: 8 pages, XXXIV edition of the Brazilian Workshop on Nuclear Physics, 5-10 June 2011, Foz de Igua\c{c}u, Paran\'a state, Brasil

We extend the formalism of weak interaction processes, obtaining new expressions for the transition rates, which greatly facilitate numerical calculations, both for neutrino-nucleus reactions and muon capture. Explicit violation of CVC hypothesis by the Coulomb field, as well as development of a sum rule approach for the inclusive cross sections have been worked out. We have done a thorough study of exclusive (ground state) properties of $^{12}$B and $^{12}$N within the projected quasiparticle random phase approximation (PQRPA). Good agreement with experimental data achieved in this way put in evidence the limitations of standard RPA and the QRPA models, which come from the inability of the RPA in opening the $p_{3/2}$ shell, and from the non-conservation of the number of particles in the QRPA. The inclusive neutrino/antineutrino ($\nu/\tilde{\nu}$) reactions $^{12}$C($\nu,e^-)^{12}$N and $^{12}$C($\tilde{\nu},e^+)^{12}$B are calculated within both the PQRPA, and the relativistic QRPA (RQRPA). It is found that the magnitudes of the resulting cross-sections: i) are close to the sum-rule limit at low energy, but significantly smaller than this limit at high energies both for $\nu$ and $\tilde{\nu}$, ii) they steadily increase when the size of the configuration space is augmented, and particulary for $\nu/\tilde{\nu}$ energies $> 200$ MeV, and iii) converge for sufficiently large configuration space and final state spin. The quasi-elastic $^{12}$C($\nu,\mu^-)^{12}$N cross section recently measured in the MiniBooNE experiment is briefly discussed. We study the decomposition of the inclusive cross-section based on the degree of forbiddenness of different multipoles. A few words are dedicated to the $\nu/\tilde{\nu}$-$^{12}$C charge-exchange reactions related with astrophysical applications., Comment: 21 pages, 13 figures, 1 table, submitted to Physical Review C

We compute one- and two-nucleon kinetic-energy spectra and opening-angle distributions for the nonmesonic weak decay of several hypernuclei, and compare our results with some recent data. The decaymics is described by transition potentials of the one-meson-exchange type, and the nuclear structure aspects by two versions of the independent-particle shell model (IPSM). In version IPSM-a, the hole states are treated as stationary, while in version IPSM-b the deep hole states are considered to be quasi-stationary and are described by Breit-Wigner distributions., Comment: 3 pages 2 figures. To be published in Nucl. Phys. A; Contribution to the NN2009 International Conference, Beijing, China, August 2009

Using as a tool the s-wave approximation (sWA), this work demonstrates that the nonmesonic weak decay transition rates $\Gamma_{n}$ and $\Gamma_{p}$ can be expressed in all hypernuclei up to $^{29}_\Lambda $Si (and very likely in heavier ones too) in the same way as in the s-shell hypernuclei, i.e. as a linear combination of only three elementary transition rates. This finding leads to the analytic prediction that, independently of the transition mechanism, all hypernuclei that are on the stability line (N = Z), i.e. $^5_\Lambda $He, $^7_\Lambda $Li, $^9_\Lambda $Be, $^{11}_\Lambda$B, $^{13}_\Lambda $C, $^{17}_\Lambda $O, $^{29}_\Lambda $Si, etc should roughly have the same ratio $\Gamma_{n}/\Gamma_{p}$, the magnitude of which rapidly increases when one approaches the neutron drip-line (N >> Z), and opposite happens when one goes toward the proton drip-line (N << Z)., Comment: 7 pages, 1 figure

A computer code for quasiparticle random phase approximation-QRPA and projected quasiparticle random phase approximation-PQRPA models of nuclear structure is explained in details. An important application of the code consists in evaluating nuclear matrix elements involved in neutrino-nucleus reactions. As an example, cross section for 56Fe and 12C are calculated and the code output is explained. The application to other nuclei and the description of other nuclear and weak decay processes is also discussed., Comment: 15 pages, 2 figures, accepted for publication in Computer Physics Communications

The $\nu/\bar{\nu}-^{12}$C cross sections are evaluated in the projected quasiparticle random phase approximation (PQRPA). The cross section for $\nu_e$ as a function of the incident neutrino energy is compared with recent theoretical calculations of more sophisticated models. The $\bar{\nu}-^{12}$C cross section is calculated for the first time with the PQRPA. The distribution of cross sections averaged with the Michel spectrum as well as with other estimated fluxes for future experiments is compared for both $\nu_e$ and $\bar{\nu}_e$. Some astrophysical implications are addressed., Comment: 9 pages, 6 figures

We evaluate the coincidence spectra in the nonmesonic weak decay (NMWD) $\Lambda N\go nN$ of $\Lambda$ hypernuclei $^{4}_\Lambda$He, $^{5}_\Lambda$He, $^{12}_\Lambda$C, $^{16}_\Lambda$O, and $^{28}_\Lambda$Si, as a function of the sum of kinetic energies $E_{nN}=E_n+E_N$ for $N=n,p$. The strangeness-changing transition potential is described by the one-meson-exchange model, with commonly used parameterization. Two versions of the Independent-Particle Shell Model (IPSM) are employed to account for the nuclear structure of the final residual nuclei. They are: (a) IPSM-a, where no correlation, except for the Pauli principle, is taken into account, and (b) IPSM-b, where the highly excited hole states are considered to be quasi-stationary and are described by Breit-Wigner distributions, whose widths are estimated from the experimental data. All $np$ and $nn$ spectra exhibit a series of peaks in the energy interval 110 MeV $

To comprehend the recent Brookhaven National Laboratory experiment E788 on $^4_\Lambda$He, we have outlined a simple theoretical framework, based on the independent-particle shell model, for the one-nucleon-induced nonmesonic weak decay spectra. Basically, the shapes of all the spectra are tailored by the kinematics of the corresponding phase space, depending very weakly on the dynamics, which is gauged here by the one-meson-exchange-potential. In spite of the straightforwardness of the approach a good agreement with data is acheived. This might be an indication that the final-state-interactions and the two-nucleon induced processes are not very important in the decay of this hypernucleus. We have also found that the $\pi+K$ exchange potential with soft vertex-form-factor cutoffs $(\Lambda_\pi \approx 0.7$ GeV, $\Lambda_K \approx 0.9$ GeV), is able to account simultaneously for the available experimental data related to $\Gamma_p$ and $\Gamma_n$ for $^4_\Lambda$H, $^4_\Lambda$He, and $^5_\Lambda$He., Comment: 12 pages, 4 figures, 1 table, submitted for publication; v2: major revision, 18 pages, one author added, table, figures and bibliography changed

The nuclear gross theory, originally formulated by Takahashi and Yamada for the $\beta$-decays, is applied for the electronic-neutrino nucleus reactions, employing a more realistic description to the energetics of the Gamow-Teller resonances. The model parameters are gauged from the most recent experimental data, both for $\beta^-$ decay and electron-capture, separately for even-even, even-odd, odd-odd, odd-even nuclei. The numerical estimates for neutrino-nucleus cross sections agree fairly well with previous evaluations done within the framework of microscopic models. The formalism presented here can be extended to the heavy nuclei mass region, where weak processes are quite relevant, which is of astrophysical interest because of its applications in supernova explosive nucleosynthesis., Comment: 21 pages, 9 figures, accepted for publication in New Journal of Physics

We establish the bridge between the commonly used Nabetani-Ogaito-Sato-Kishimoto (NOSK) formula for the asymmetry parameter $a_\Lambda$ in the $\vec\Lambda p \to np$ emission of polarized hypernuclei, and the shell model (SM) formalism for finite hypernuclei. We demonstrate that the s-wave approximation leads to a SM formula for $a_\Lambda$ that is as simple as the NOSK one, and that reproduces the exact results for $^5_\Lambda$He and $^{12}_\Lambda$C better than initially expected. The simplicity achieved here is indeed remarkable. The new formalism makes the theoretical evaluation of $a_\Lambda$ more transparent, and explains clearly why the one-meson exchange model is unable to account for the experimental data of $^5_\Lambda$He., Comment: 9 pages. to be published in Physical Review C

We reanalyse the LSND neutrino oscillation results in the framework of the Projected Quasiparticle Random Phase Approximation (PQRPA), which is the only RPA model that treats the Pauli Principle correctly, and accounts satisfactorily for great majority of the weak decay observables around 12C. We have found that the employment of the PQRPA inclusive DIF 12C(nu_e,e-)12N cross-section, instead of the CRPA used by the LSND collaboration in the (nu_mu ->nu_e) oscillations study of the 1993-1995 data sample, leads to the following: 1) the oscillation probability is increased from (0.26 +/- 0.10 +/- 0.05) percents to (0.33 +/- 0.10 +/- 0.13) percents, and 2) the previously found consistence between the (sin^2 2theta, Delta m^2) confidence level regions for the (nu_mu -> nu_e) and the (bar{nu}_mu -> bar{nu}_e) oscillations is significantly diminished. These effects are not due to the difference in the uncertainty ranges for the neutrino-nucleus cross-section, but to the difference in the cross-sections themselves., Comment: REVTEX4, 14 pages, 3 figures, accepted for publication in Phys. Lett. B

The possibility of applying the Quasiparticle Tamm-Dancoff Approximation (QTDA) to describe the nuclear double beta decay is explored. Several serious inconveniences found in the Quasiparticle Random Phase Approximation (QRPA), such as: i) the extreme sensitivity of the $2\nu\beta \beta$ decay amplitudes ${\cal M}_{2{\nu}}$ on the residual interaction in the particle-particle channel, ii) the ambiguity in treating the intermediate states, and iii) the need for performing a second charge-conserving QRPA to describe the $\beta\beta$-decays to the excited final states, are not present in the QTDA. Also, the QTDA allows for explicit evaluation of energy distributions of the double-charge-exchange transition strengths and of their sum rules, and can be straightforwardly applied to single- and double-closed shell nuclei. As an example, the $^{48}$Ca$\go^{48}$Ti decay is discussed within the $1fp$-shell in the particle-hole limit of the QTDA. The general [$(1,1)$-Pad\'e-approximant-like] behavior of the $2\nu\beta \beta$-decay amplitude in the plain QRPA as well as within its different variations is briefly reviewed., Comment: 29, 6 figures, paper devoted to honour the memory of Professor Dubravko Tadi\'c

We present an exploratory study of structure of 13C, 15C, 17C and 19C, showing that the simple one-quasiparticle projected BCS (PBCS) model is capable to account for several important properties of these nuclei. Next we discuss the importance of the Pauli Principle in the particle-core models of normal-parity states in 13C and 11Be. This is done by considering the pairing interaction between nucleons moving in an over-all deformed potential. To assess the importance of pairing correlations in these light nuclei we use both the simple BCS and the PBCS approximations. We show that the Pauli Principle plays a crucial role in the parity inversion in 11Be. It is also found that the effect of the particle number conservation in relatively light and/or exotic nuclei is quite significant. Comparison of our results with several recent papers on the same subject, as well as with some experimental data, is presented., Comment: 27 pages, 9 figures, some changes and reordering for reduced the text, the conclusions remain the same ones, Nuclear Physics A in press

We derive general explicit expressions for a shell-model calculation of the intrinsic asymmetry parameter, $a_\Lambda$, in nonmesonic weak hypernuclear decay. They include the effects of three-body kinematics in the final states of the decay and correctly treat the contribution of transitions originating from single-proton states beyond the s-shell. The expressions are particularized to the cases of $^5_\Lambda$He and $^{12}_\Lambda$C and used for the calculation of $a_\Lambda$ in several one-meson-exchange models. Besides the strictly local approximation usually adopted for the transition potential, we also consider the addition of the first-order nonlocality terms. We find values for $a_\Lambda$ ranging from -0.62 to -0.24, in qualitative agreement with other theoretical estimates but in contradiction with some recent experimental determinations., Comment: RevTex, 10 pages, 1 figure, submitted for publication. v2: 16 pages, 1 correction made, more detail and 4 appendices added, numerical results and conclusions unchanged

The neutrino-nucleus cross section and the muon capture rate are discussed within a simple formalism which facilitates the nuclear structure calculations. The corresponding formulae only depend on four types of nuclear matrix elements, which are currently used in the nuclear beta decay. We have also considered the non-locality effects arising from the velocity-dependent terms in the hadronic current. We show that for both observables in 12C the higher order relativistic corrections are of the order of ~5 only, and therefore do not play a significant role. As nuclear model framework we use the projected QRPA (PQRPA) and show that the number projection plays a crucial role in removing the degeneracy between the proton-neutron two quasiparticle states at the level of the mean field. Comparison is done with both the experimental data and the previous shell model calculations. Possible consequences of the present study on the determination of the $\nu_\mu ->\nu_e$ neutrino oscillation probability are briefly addressed., Comment: 29 pages, 6 figures, Revtex4. Several changes were made to the previous manuscript, the results and final conclusions remain unalterable. It has been accepted for publication as a Regular Article in Physical Review C