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Atomic, Molecular, Optical and Plasma Physics

EPJ A Highlight - Mechanisms of two-proton emission seen in three-body correlations

Sequential two-proton decay of the 16Ne Er=7.57 MeV state. The fractional energy distribution (left) gives resonance energy in 15F while the angular distribution (right) determines Iπ of the initial state.

Hitherto three-body correlations between decay products of nuclear resonances, unstable to the emission of two neutrons have been a very effective tool in the analysis of GSI-experiments on 5H, 10He, 13Li, and 14Be. Here the first report is given about the mechanisms for two-proton emission from states in 16Ne, representing the presently most complete study of this nucleus. One-neutron knockout from 17Ne populated the 16Ne(g.s.) (Er=1.39 MeV, Γ=0.08 MeV) above the 14O+p+p threshold, and resonances at Er=3.22 MeV and 7.57 MeV. The decay mechanisms were revealed analysing three-body energy correlations in the 14O+p+p system. It was found that the 16Ne(g.s.) undergoes a democratic three-body decay. In contrast to this, the 16Ne(21+) state emits protons through the 15F(g.s.) sequentially. The decay of 7.57 MeV state is well-described assuming emission of a proton from the d5/2 shell to 15F(5/2+), which decays by d5/2 proton emission to 14O(g.s.). By using R-matrix analysis and mirror symmetry this state was unambiguously identified as the third 2+ state in 16Ne.

Editors-in-Chief
A. Beige, H. Kersten and P. Limao Vieira
It is always a pleasure to review for EPJD.

Miguel Ángel García-March

ISSN (Print Edition): 1434-6060
ISSN (Electronic Edition): 1434-6079

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