Deuteron emission from excited nuclei and its sensitivity to the proton–neutron interaction

Characterize deuteron emission (simultaneous emission of a bound proton–neutron pair) from excited nuclei and determine how the emission properties depend on the strength of the proton–neutron interaction.

Background

The paper predominantly treats the valence neutron as bound while analyzing one‑proton emission from 102Sb. From excited nuclear states, however, both a proton and a neutron can be emitted together as a deuteron, providing a direct probe of proton–neutron correlations.

Understanding the sensitivity of deuteron emission to the proton–neutron interaction would complement the present analysis of one‑proton decay and supply constraints on effective proton–neutron pairing strengths, particularly near the nuclear surface where density-dependent reductions of the interaction are expected.

References

In this work, the valence neutron is bound. From excited nuclei, in contrast, the emission of both proton and neutron can take place. Especially the deuteron emission and its sensitivity to the pn interaction is left for future works.

— One-proton emission of $^{102}$Sb and its sensitivity to proton-neutron interaction (2410.23418 - Oishi et al., 30 Oct 2024) in Section 4, Summary (final page)