Two-particle transfer processes as a signature of shape phase transition in Zirconium isotopes

Abstract

We explore two-particle transfer reactions as a unique probe of the occurence of shape coexistence in shape phase transitions. The (t,p) reactions to the ground state and to excited $0^{+}$ states are calculated for the isotope chain of even-even Zirconium isotopes starting from stable nuclei up to beyond current experimental limits. Two-particle spectroscopic factors derived from Monte Carlo Shell Model calculations are used, together with the sequential description of the two-particle transfer reaction mechanism. The calculation shows a clear signature for a shape phase transition between ${}^{98}$Zr and ${}^{100}$Zr, which displays coexistence of a deformed ground state with an excited spherical $0^{+}$ state. Furthermore, we show that there is a qualitative difference with respect to the case of a normal shape phase transition that can be discriminated with two-neutron transfer reactions.

Comments: 4 figures, 1 table