Summit of the N=40 island of inversion: Precision mass measurements and ab initio calculations of neutron-rich chromium isotopes

Mass measurements continue to provide invaluable information for elucidating nuclear structure and scenarios of astrophysical interest. The transition region between the Z = 20 and 28 proton shell closures is particularly interesting due to the onset and evolution of nuclear deformation as nuclei become more neutron-rich. This provides a critical testing ground for emerging ab-initio nuclear structure models. Here, we present high-precision mass measurements of neutron-rich chromium isotopes using the sensitive electrostatic Multiple-Reflection Time-Of-Flight Mass Spectrometer (MR-TOF-MS) at TRIUMF's Ion Trap for Atomic and Nuclear Science (TITAN) facility. Our high-precision mass measurements of Cr-59,Cr-61-63 confirm previous results, and the improved precision in measurements of Cr64-65 refine the mass surface beyond N=40. With the ab initio in-medium similarity renormalization group, we examine the trends in collectivity in chromium isotopes and give a complete picture of the N=40 island of inversion from calcium to nickel. (C) 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V.