Searching for Shape Coexistence in Sn-114 via the GRIFFIN Spectrometer

Synopsis

Atomic nuclei can display a remarkable quantum phenomenon called shape coexistence, where they maintain multiple shapes at similar energy levels, much like electrons existing in multiple states simultaneously. This phenomenon challenges our classical understanding of nuclear structure and offers critical insights into the fundamental forces that hold the universe together. Tin (Sn), with its magic proton number Z=50, serves as an ideal candidate for studying these behaviors. In isotopes like Sn-114, which have even numbers of protons and neutrons, the ground state is spherical, yet excited states reveal different shapes - a property that helps us understand both nuclear forces and the creation of elements in stars. To investigate this phenomenon, we utilized TRIUMF's ISAC facility along with the advanced GRIFFIN spectrometer, which detects gamma rays emitted as the nucleus transitions between energy levels. In this talk, I will discuss how GRIFFIN allows us to capture these nuclear shape transitions, providing a window into the quantum mechanical nature of matter itself and advancing our understanding of nuclear structure.