In the realm of nuclear physics, researchers are continually pushing the boundaries of our understanding, with implications that can extend to the energy sector, particularly in nuclear power. Among these researchers are T. M. Shneidman and R. G. Nazmitdinov, who have been exploring the intriguing concept of nuclear molecules composed of heavy nuclei.
Shneidman and Nazmitdinov, affiliated with the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research in Dubna, Russia, have proposed a model that describes a nuclear molecule formed by two heavy nuclei. To achieve this, they derived the Hamiltonian of a dinuclear system and diagonalized it using a basis of bipolar spherical functions. This approach allowed them to obtain analytical expressions that describe the excitations of highly deformed states within these nuclear molecules.
The researchers demonstrated a remarkable agreement between their numerical and analytical results when describing roto-vibrational excitations in the nucleus plutonium-240 (Pu-240) at low energies. This agreement suggests that their model is robust and accurate. Furthermore, they used their model to predict the spectrum of hyperdeformed states of the nucleus thorium-232 (Th-232), considering it as a nuclear molecule consisting of tin-132 (Sn-132) and zirconium-100 (Zr-100) nuclei.
In addition to these predictions, Shneidman and Nazmitdinov analyzed the angular distribution of fission fragments for Pu-240 and compared their findings with available experimental data. This analysis provides further validation of their model and its applicability to real-world scenarios.
The practical applications of this research for the energy sector, particularly in nuclear power, are significant. A deeper understanding of nuclear molecules and their behavior can lead to advancements in nuclear reactor design, safety, and efficiency. It can also contribute to the development of new nuclear fuels and the improvement of waste management strategies. Moreover, this research can enhance our understanding of nuclear fission and fusion processes, which are crucial for the development of advanced nuclear energy technologies.
The research was published in the journal Physical Review C, a publication of the American Physical Society. The findings represent a significant step forward in the field of nuclear physics and hold promise for the future of nuclear energy.
This article is based on research available at arXiv.