Investigation of the halo structure of ³⁷Mg at FRIB

Understanding of the structure and evolution of nuclei across the nuclear chart is one of the fundamental goals of nuclear physics. The study of phenomena arising in neutron-rich nuclei, in particular, offers unique opportunities to further our understanding of nuclear forces at play. Recent advances in rare-isotope beam intensities enable detailed study of medium-mass neutron-rich nuclei. In this region, ³⁷Mg presents a unique opportunity to investigate several phenomena important for nuclear structure as it 1) is the heaviest identified neutron halo, 2) lies at the edge of the “Island of Inversion” where energy gaps between sd and pf-shells shrink/invert, and 3) is predicted to be non-spherical, implying nucleon collectivity. Using the MoNA neutron scintillator array, we will perform the first kinematically-complete Coulomb-breakup measurement of ³⁷Mg and, utilizing reaction theory, extract information to help understand the interplay of these phenomena. Unambiguous determination of the Coulomb-breakup cross-section, neutron separation energy, and ground state configuration of ³⁷Mg obtained in this experiment will be invaluable for understanding nuclear structure in this neutron-rich region, and for understanding the mechanism behind halo-formation broadly.