229mTh isomer from a nuclear model perspective

The physical conditions for the emergence of the extremely low-lying nuclear isomer Th-229m at approximately 8 eV are investigated in the framework of our recently proposed nuclear structure model. Our theoretical approach explains the Th-229m-isomer phenomenon as the result of a very fine interplay between collective quadrupole-octupole and single-particle dynamics in the nucleus. We find that the isomeric state can only appear in a rather limited model space of quadrupole-octupole deformations in the single-particle potential, with the octupole deformation being of a crucial importance for its formation. Within this deformation space the model-described quantities exhibit a rather smooth behavior close to the line of isomer-ground-state quasidegeneracy determined by the crossing of the corresponding single-particle orbitals. Our comprehensive analysis confirms the previous model predictions for reduced transition probabilities and the isomer magnetic moment, while showing a possibility for limited variation in the ground-state magnetic moment theoretical value. These findings prove the reliability of the model and suggest that the same dynamical mechanism could manifest in other actinide nuclei giving a general prescription for the search and exploration of similar isomer phenomena.

Automated summary

The study investigates the physical conditions for the emergence of the low-lying nuclear isomer Th-229m and explains it as a result of a fine interplay between collective quadrupole-octupole and single-particle dynamics. The findings confirm the model's reliability in predicting reduced transition probabilities and the isomer magnetic moment, while suggesting a possibility for limited variation in the ground-state magnetic moment theoretical value. This highlights the potential for similar isomer phenomena in other actinide nuclei based on the same dynamical mechanism.