Evidence for the Existence of Supersymmetry in Atomic Nuclei

Abstract

We found strong evidence for the existence of supersymmetry by studying the odd-odd nucleus ${}^{196}\mathrm{Au}$ using the ${}^{197}\mathrm{Au}(\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{d},t)$, ${}^{197}\mathrm{Au}(p,d)$, and ${}^{198}\mathrm{Hg}(\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{d},\ensuremath{\alpha})$ transfer reactions. High resolution ${}^{196}\mathrm{Pt}(p,d)$ and ${}^{196}\mathrm{Pt}(\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{d},t)$ transfer experiments performed in parallel yielded an improved level scheme of ${}^{195}\mathrm{Pt}$. Using extended supersymmetry, a single fit of the six parameter eigenvalue expression yielded a complete description of all observed low-lying excited states in the four nuclei forming the supermultiplet. The detailed comparison of the transfer amplitudes the odd-odd member of the supermultiplet ${}^{196}\mathrm{Au}$ using a semimicroscopic transfer operator provides, then, evidence that this description is correct.