Spectroscopic factors as a probe of nuclear shape in $^{44}$S via one-neutron knockout reaction

Abstract

Background: Neutron-rich nucleus $^{44}$S lies in the region where traditional $N=28$ shell closure weakens, leading to the emergence of shape coexistence and large-amplitude collective motion (LACM). Understanding the nature and degree of shape mixing in this nucleus remains an important and fascinating problem. Purpose: We investigate the manifestation of shape fluctuations in $^{44}$S and examine how the electric transitions and the spectroscopic factors from one-neutron knockout reactions can serve as probes of shapes mixing. Method: The antisymmetrized molecular dynamics combined with the generator coordinate method (AMD+GCM) is used to study the structure of $^{44}$S and $^{43}$S. Calculations are performed by using Gogny effective interactions with two different parameter sets, D1S and D1M, to explore the interaction dependence of shape mixing. Monopole and quadrupole transition strengths and spectroscopic factors are evaluated. The cross sections for the $^{44}$S$(p,pn)^{43}$S reaction are calculated within the distorted wave impulse approximation (DWIA). Results: The calculations reveal a strong interaction dependence of shape fluctuation in $^{44}$S. The structural differences obtained from D1S and D1M interactions produce distinct patterns of the electric transitions, the spectroscopic factors, and the cross sections for $^{44}$S$(p,pn)^{43}$S knockout reaction. Conclusion: The population of $3/2^-$ and $7/2^-$ states of $^{43}$S is particularly sensitive to the underlying shape fluctuation in $^{44}$S. Thus, the measurement of $^{44}$S$(p,pn)^{43}$S reaction can provide a direct experimental probe.