Detecting bubbles in exotic nuclei

Abstract

The occurrence of a bubble, due to an inversion of s${}_{1/2}$ state with the state usually located above, is investigated. Proton bubbles in neutron-rich Argon isotopes are optimal candidates. Pairing effects which can play against the bubble formation are evaluated. They cannot prevent bubble formation in very neutron-rich argon isotopes such as ${}^{68}$Ar. This pleads for a measurement of the charge density of neutron-rich argon isotopes in the forthcoming years, with the advent of electron scattering experiments in next generation exotic beam facilities such as FAIR or RIBF.

Comments: 6 pages, 5 figures, to be published in Nucl. Phys. A