New magic number, N = 16, near the neutron drip line

Phys Rev Lett. 2000 Jun 12;84(24):5493-5. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.84.5493.

Abstract

We have surveyed the neutron separation energies (S(n)) and the interaction cross sections (sigma(I)) for the neutron-rich p-sd and the sd shell region. Very recently, both measurements reached up to the neutron drip line, or close to the drip line, for nuclei of Z</=8. A neutron-number dependence of S(n) shows clear breaks at N = 16 near the neutron drip line (T(Z)>/=3), which shows the creation of a new magic number. A neutron-number dependence of sigma(I) shows a large increase of sigma(I) for N = 15, which supports the new magic number. The origin of the new magic number is also discussed.