Convenient Location of a Near-Threshold Proton-Emitting Resonance in ^{11}B

Description of the Proton-Decaying 0_{2}^{+} Resonance of the α Particle

The recent precise experimental determination of the monopole transition form factor from the ground state of ^{4}He to its 0_{2}^{+} resonance via electron scattering has reinvigorated discussions about the nature of this first excited state of the α particle. The 0_{2}^{+} state has been traditionally interpreted in the literature as the isoscalar monopole resonance (breathing mode) or, alternatively, as a particle-hole shell-model excitation. To better understand the nature of this state, which lies only ∼410  keV above the proton emission threshold, we employ the coupled-channel representation of the no-core Gamow shell model. By considering the [^{3}H+p], [^{3}He+n], and [^{2}H+^{2}H] reaction channels, we explain the excitation energy and monopole form factor of the 0_{2}^{+} state. We argue that the continuum coupling strongly impacts the nature of this state, which carries characteristics of the proton decay threshold.

Observation of a Near-Threshold Proton Resonance in ^{11}B

A near-threshold proton resonance in ^{11}B at E_{ex}=11.44±0.04  MeV is observed via the reaction ^{10}Be(d,n)^{11}Be→^{10}Be+p in inverse kinematics, measured with a beam of the radioactive isotope ^{10}Be. The resonance energy at E_{res}=211(40)  keV is consistent with a proton signal observed by Ayyad et al. in the β-delayed proton decay of ^{11}Be. By comparison to a distorted wave Born approximation calculation, a 0.27(6) spectroscopic factor is extracted and a tentative (ℓ=0) character is assigned for this resonance. The significant cross section in the proton-transfer (d,n) reaction, as well as the observation of its proton-decay signal, point to the threshold-resonance character of this state. The position of this state, its structure, and strong coupling to the s-wave continuum represent an ideal case to study quantum near-threshold many-body dynamics of unstable states. The presence of this state is an important step toward understanding the excessively large beta-delayed proton-decay branch of ^{11}Be.

Evidence of a Near-Threshold Resonance in ^{11}B Relevant to the β-Delayed Proton Emission of ^{11}Be

A narrow near-threshold proton-emitting resonance (E_{x}=11.4  MeV, J^{π}=1/2^{+}, and Γ_{p}=4.4  keV) was directly observed in ^{11}B via proton resonance scattering. This resonance was previously inferred in the β-delayed proton emission of the neutron halo nucleus ^{11}Be. The good agreement between both experimental results serves as a ground to confirm the existence of such exotic decay and the particular behavior of weakly bound nuclei coupled to the continuum. R-matrix analysis shows a sizable partial decay width for both, proton and α (Γ_{α}=11  keV) emission channels.

Neutron Stars with Baryon Number Violation, Probing Dark Sectors

The neutron lifetime anomaly has been used to motivate the introduction of new physics with hidden-sector particles coupled to baryon number, and on which neutron stars provide powerful constraints. Although the neutron lifetime anomaly may eventually prove to be of mundane origin, we use it as motivation for a broader review of the ways that baryon number violation, be it real or apparent, and dark sectors can intertwine and how neutron star observables, both present and future, can constrain them.