Borromean nucleus
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In nuclear physics, a Borromean nucleus is an atomic nucleus comprising three bound components in which any subsystem of two components is unbound.[1] This has the consequence that if one component is removed, the remaining two comprise an unbound resonance, so that the original nucleus is split into three parts.[2]
The name is derived from the Borromean rings, a system of three linked rings in which no pair of rings is linked.[2]
Many Borromean nuclei are light nuclei near the nuclear drip lines that have a nuclear halo and low nuclear binding energy. For example, the nuclei 6He, 11Li, and 22C each have a two-neutron halo surrounding a core containing the remaining nucleons.[2][3] These are Borromean nuclei because the removal of either neutron from the halo will result in a resonance unbound to one-neutron emission, whereas the dineutron (the particles in the halo) is itself an unbound system.[1] Similarly, 17Ne is a Borromean nucleus with a two-proton halo; both the diproton and 16F are unbound.[4]
Also, stable 9Be is a Borromean nucleus comprising two alpha particles and a neutron;[3] the removal of any one component would produce one of the unbound resonances 5He or 8Be.
Several Borromean nuclei such as 9Be and the Hoyle state (an excited resonance in 12C) play an important role in nuclear astrophysics. Namely, these are three-body systems whose unbound components (formed from 4He) are intermediate steps in the triple-alpha process; this limits the rate of production of heavier elements, for three bodies must react nearly simultaneously.[3]
Borromean nuclei made of more than three components can also exist. These also lie along the drip lines; for instance, 8He and 14Be are five-body Borromean systems with a four-neutron halo.[5] It is also possible that nuclides produced in the alpha process (such as 12C and 16O) may be clusters of alpha particles, having a similar structure to Borromean nuclei.[2]
As of 2012[update], the heaviest known Borromean nucleus was 29F.[6] Heavier species along the neutron drip line have since been observed; these and undiscovered heavier nuclei along the drip line are also likely to be Borromean nuclei with varying numbers (3, 5, 7, or more) of bodies.[5]
See also
References
- 1 2 Id Betan, R. M. (2017). "Cooper pairs in the Borromean nuclei 6He and 11Li using continuum single particle level density". Nuclear Physics A. 959: 147–148. arXiv:1701.08099. Bibcode:2017NuPhA.959..147I. doi:10.1016/j.nuclphysa.2017.01.004. S2CID 119243017.
- 1 2 3 4 Manton, N.; Mee, N. (2017). "Nuclear Physics". The Physical World: An Inspirational Tour of Fundamental Physics. Oxford University Press. pp. 387–389. doi:10.1093/oso/9780198795933.003.0012. ISBN 978-0-19-879611-4. LCCN 2017934959.
- 1 2 3 Vaagen, J. S.; Gridnev, D. K.; Heiberg-Andersen, H.; et al. (2000). "Borromean Halo Nuclei" (PDF). Physica Scripta. T88 (1): 209–213. Bibcode:2000PhST...88..209V. doi:10.1238/Physica.Topical.088a00209. S2CID 121095106.
- ↑ Oishi, T.; Hagino, K.; Sagawa, H. (2010). "Diproton correlation in the proton-rich Borromean nucleus 17Ne". Physical Review C. 82 (6): 066901–1–066901–6. arXiv:1007.0835. doi:10.1103/PhysRevC.82.069901.
- 1 2 Riisager, K. (2013). "Halos and related structures". Physica Scripta. 2013 (14001) 014001. arXiv:1208.6415. Bibcode:2013PhST..152a4001R. doi:10.1088/0031-8949/2013/T152/014001. S2CID 119290542.
- ↑ Gaudefroy, L.; Mittig, W.; Orr, N. A.; et al. (2012). "Direct Mass Measurements of 19B, 22C, 29F, 31Ne, 34Na and Other Light Exotic Nuclei". Physical Review Letters. 109 (20): 202503–1–202503–5. arXiv:1211.3235. doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.109.202503. PMID 23215476. S2CID 21166319.