The unexpected shape of the core of Olova-208 encourages the reconsideration of models of atomic nuclei

International research cooperation led by a group of nuclear physics at the Surreya’s Nuclear Physics has abolished the long-standing belief that atomic core Lead-208 (²⁰⁸pb) is perfectly spherical. The discovery provokes the basic assumptions about the nuclear structure and has far -reaching consequences on our understanding of how the most severe elements are formed in the universe.

The Lead-208 is extremely stable because the “double magical” core is the hardest thing we know about. However, a new study published in Letters of physical examination She used a high-precision experimental probe to examine his shape and found that, instead of perfectly spherical, the core of the lead-208 was a little elongated, like a rugby ball (spioid passage).

Dr. Jack Henderson, Chief Researcher of the University of Mathematics and Surrey University, said: “We were able to combine four separate measurements using the most sensitive world experimental equipment for this type of study, which allowed us to do this challenging observation. Colleagues from the nuclear theory, presenting an exciting Avenue for future research. “

Using a top-notch Gama-ray spectrometer in the Argonne National Laboratory in Illinois, the US, scientists bombed lead atoms with high-speed particles accelerated to 10% of light speeds-Earth circulation every second. The interactions created unique gamma-ray prints of the properties of the aroused quantum state in the core of Olova-208 in other words, the nuclei were energized-which were, in turn, used to determine its shape.

Theoretical physicists, including those from the Nuclear Surrey Theory Theory, now re -examine the models used to describe atomic coresAs experiments suggest nuclear structure It is far more complicated than previously thought.

Professor Paul Stevenson, led the theorist at the University of Surrey, said: “These very sensitive experiments threw new light on something we thought we understood very well, presenting a new challenge for us to understand the reason why it was one possibility that vibrations were vibrations Leads of Olova-208, when excited during experiments, less regular than previously assumed.

A study, which brought together a team of experts from leading research centers for nuclear physics throughout Europe and North America, challenges the basic principle nuclear physics and opens new avenues to research nuclear stability, astrophysics and quantum mechanics.