In the realm of nuclear physics and energy research, a team of scientists from the Institute of Theoretical Physics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, along with collaborators from the University of Zagreb and Sun Yat-sen University, has made significant strides in understanding the complex dynamics of nuclear reactions. Their work, published in the journal Physical Review Letters, focuses on the impact of nuclear de-excitation on multi-nucleon transfer (MNT) reactions, which have implications for various fields, including nuclear energy and astrophysics.
The researchers, led by Y. C. Yang and D. D. Zhang, introduced a novel hybrid approach called TDCDFT+GEMINI. This method combines time-dependent covariant density functional theory (TDCDFT) with the statistical de-excitation model GEMINI++. The study applied this approach to the reaction between calcium-40 and lead-208 nuclei. The findings revealed that nuclear de-excitation plays a crucial role in aligning theoretical predictions with experimental data, particularly in calculating cross sections—a measure of the probability of a particular reaction occurring.
One of the key discoveries was the abrupt opening of new reaction channels at a specific energy threshold. This phenomenon was quantified using the concept of Shannon entropy, which measures the unpredictability or randomness in the distribution of reaction outcomes. The researchers found that as the energy of the colliding nuclei increased, the system’s entropy suddenly increased, indicating the emergence of new reaction pathways.
Furthermore, the study employed mutual information—a concept from information theory—to demonstrate that the de-excitation process significantly degrades the initial quantum entanglement between the projectile-like and target-like fragments. Quantum entanglement is a fundamental property where the state of one particle is intrinsically linked to another, regardless of the distance separating them. The degradation of this entanglement provides insights into how quantum correlations are lost during nuclear reactions, a critical factor in understanding the behavior of nuclear matter under extreme conditions.
For the energy sector, this research offers valuable insights into the dynamics of nuclear reactions, which are essential for developing advanced nuclear technologies. Understanding the de-excitation process and its impact on reaction outcomes can lead to more accurate models and simulations, ultimately improving the design and safety of nuclear reactors. Additionally, the findings contribute to the broader field of nuclear physics, enhancing our knowledge of nuclear structure and the behavior of nuclear matter in various environments.
In summary, the work by Yang, Zhang, and their collaborators sheds light on the complex interplay between initial collision dynamics and final experimental observables in nuclear reactions. By bridging the gap between theory and experiment, this research paves the way for more precise and reliable models in nuclear physics and energy applications. The study was published in Physical Review Letters, a prestigious journal known for its high-impact research in the field of physics.
This article is based on research available at arXiv.