Researchers infer the transition strength between different nuclear configurations in calcium-40

Scientists from the Research Center for Nuclear Physics at Osaka University, in collaboration with the Australian National University, Japan Atomic Energy Agency, the University of Tokyo, and GIT AM University, used measurements from a calcium foil irradiated with protons to infer the transition strength between different nuclear configurations in calcium-40. They found that quantum interference made the transition from the elongated “superdeformed” state to a normal, spherical state much less likely than expected. This work may lead to a better understanding of how elements are formed in supernovae.