Probing the shape evolution and shell structures in neutron-rich N=50 nuclei

Abstract

The structure of low-lying states of $N=50$ nuclei is investigated by the advanced Monte Carlo shell model (MCSM) in the $\pi{(fp)}$-$\nu{(sdg)}$ model space. We have employed the shell-model Hamiltonian based on the valence-space in-medium similarity renormalization group, with minimal phenomenological adjustments to the single-particle energies. The MCSM results with the modified Hamiltonian nicely predict the shape coexistence of $^{78}$Ni, consistent with recent experimental data. The evolution of intrinsic shapes from the spherical shape to prolate shapes in the ground state of $N=50$ nuclei is discussed using the "T-plot" and effective single-particle energies, which visualize the intrinsic quadrupole deformation of the MCSM wave function. The present result shows that the monopole part of the tensor force does not enhance the shape coexistence of $^{78}$Ni, unlike the case of $^{68}$Ni.