Nuclear linear-chain structure arises in carbon-14
Jiaxing Han, Yanlin Ye, J. L. Lou, X. F. Yang, Q. T. Li, Z. Yang, Y. Y. Yang, J. Wang, J. Y. Xu, Ge Yu-Cheng, H. Hua, Zhihuan Li, Biao Yang, Yang Liu, Shiwei Bai, Kai Ma, Jiahao Chen, Gen Li, Ziyao Hu, Hanzhou Yu, Zhiwei Tan, Lisheng Yang, Shujing Wang, Longchun Tao, Wei Liu, Y. Jiang, Jingjing Li, Dong-Xi Wang, S.W. Huang, Ying Chen, Wei-Liang Pu, Kang Wei, Jun-Bing Ma, Herun Yang, Peng Ma, Shiwei Xu, Zhen Bai, Shuya Jin, Fangfang Duan, Yushou Song, Liyuan Hu, Yao Li, Junwei Li, Suyalatu Zhang, M. Huang, Dexin Wang, Ziming Li
Abstract
Abstract The shape and internal structure of an atomic nucleus can change significantly with increasing excitation energy, angular momentum, or isospin asymmetry. As an example of this structural evolution, linear-chain configurations in carbon or heavier isotopes have been predicted for decades. Recent studies have found non-stability of this structure in 12 C while evidenced its appearance in 16 C. It is then necessary to investigate the linear-chain molecular structures in 14 C to clarify the exact location on the nuclear chart where this structure begins to emerge, and thus to benchmark theoretical models. Here we show a cluster-decay experiment for 14 C with all final particles coincidentally detected, allowing a high Q -value resolution, and thus a clear decay-path selection. Unambiguous spin-parity analyses are conducted, strongly evidencing the emergence of the π -bond linear-chain molecular rotational band in 14 C. The present results encourage further studies on even longer chain configurations in heavier neutron-rich nuclei.