The $\beta$-decay properties of $N=Z$ nuclei: Role of neutron-proton pairing and the shell model interpretation

Abstract

We study the recently measured beta-decay of ${}^{70}$Kr into ${}^{70}$Br within the framework of the large-scale shell model. The enhancement in the Gamow-Teller (GT) transition strength in ${}^{70}$Br compared to the $\beta$-decay of the lighter ${}^{62}$Ge was suggested as an indication for increased neutron-proton ($np$) pairing correlation. To explore the $np$ correlations in nuclei, we systematically examined the $\beta$-decay properties of the even-even nuclei $A=58,62,66,$ and $70$ into $N=Z$ odd-odd nuclei. By employing an interaction involving solely $J=1,T=0$ and $J=0,T=1$ pairing matrix elements, we observe that the pairing does not necessarily lead to an enhancement in the GT strength for the same coupling strength. But with the inclusion of the $g_{9/2}$ orbital, the GT strength can be increased with increasing $np$ pairing in connection with the enhanced contribution from the $g_{9/2}$ orbital. We further compare those results with realistic calculations in the $fp$ and $f_{5/2}p{g}_{9/2}$ model space to gauge the contribution from $f_{7/2}$ and $g_{9/2}$ orbitals in the GT strengths. With the JUN45 interaction, there is an increment for the yrast $1^{+}$ state for the decay of ${}^{70}$Kr as compared to the decay of ${}^{62}$Ge due to increased $g_{9/2}$ contribution. Additionally, we probe the effect of $np$ pairing on $B_{\mathrm{GT}}$ by modifying the single-particle energies and the $T=0$ matrix elements of the interaction responsible for the decay transition strength. In calculations with realistic interaction, we find that the accumulated transition strength can increase with enhanced $np$ pairing.