Determining the Energy Barrier for Decay out of Superdeformed Bands
arXiv:0809.1119 · doi:10.1016/j.physletb.2010.03.052
Abstract
An asymptotically exact quantum mechanical calculation of the matrix elements for tunneling through an asymmetric barrier is combined with the two-state statistical model for decay out of superdeformed bands to determine the energy barrier (as a function of spin) separating the superdeformed and normal-deformed wells for several nuclei in the 190 and 150 mass regions. The spin-dependence of the barrier leading to sudden decay out is shown to be consistent with the decrease of a centrifugal barrier with decreasing angular momentum. Values of the barrier frequency in the two mass regions are predicted.
v1: 4 pages, 1 figure, 1 table. v2: 5 pages, 1 figure, 1 table; minor corrections and clarifications