학술논문
Isobaric multiplet mass equation in the $A=31$ $T = 3/2$ quartets
Document Type
Working Paper
Author
Bennett, M. B.; Wrede, C.; Brown, B. A.; Liddick, S. N.; Pérez-Loureiro, D.; Bardayan, D. W.; Chen, A. A.; Chipps, K. A.; Fry, C.; Glassman, B. E.; Langer, C.; Larson, N. R.; McNeice, E. I.; Meisel, Z.; Ong, W.; O'Malley, P. D.; Pain, S. D.; Prokop, C. J.; Schwartz, S. B.; Suchyta, S.; Thompson, P.; Walters, M.; Xu, X.
Source
Phys. Rev. C 93, 064310 (2016)
Subject
Language
Abstract
The observed mass excesses of analog nuclear states with the same mass number $A$ and isospin $T$ can be used to test the isobaric multiplet mass equation (IMME), which has, in most cases, been validated to a high degree of precision. A recent measurement [Kankainen et al., Phys. Rev. C 93 041304(R) (2016)] of the ground-state mass of $^{31}$Cl led to a substantial breakdown of the IMME for the lowest $A = 31, T = 3/2$ quartet. The second-lowest $A = 31, T = 3/2$ quartet is not complete, due to uncertainties associated with the identity of the $^{31}$S member state. Using a fast $^{31}$Cl beam implanted into a plastic scintillator and a high-purity Ge $\gamma$-ray detection array, $\gamma$ rays from the $^{31}$Cl$(\beta\gamma)$$^{31}$S sequence were measured. Shell-model calculations using USDB and the recently-developed USDE interactions were performed for comparison. Isospin mixing between the $^{31}$S isobaric analog state (IAS) at 6279.0(6) keV and a nearby state at 6390.2(7) keV was observed. The second $T = 3/2$ state in $^{31}$S was observed at $E_x = 7050.0(8)$ keV. Isospin mixing in $^{31}$S does not by itself explain the IMME breakdown in the lowest quartet, but it likely points to similar isospin mixing in the mirror nucleus $^{31}$P, which would result in a perturbation of the $^{31}$P IAS energy. USDB and USDE calculations both predict candidate $^{31}$P states responsible for the mixing in the energy region slightly above $E_x = 6400$ keV. The second quartet has been completed thanks to the identification of the second $^{31}$S $T = 3/2$ state, and the IMME is validated in this quartet.