Scientists achieve measurement of three different deformations in atomic nucleus

A new milestone in nuclear physics has been achieved with the direct observation of three different deformations in the atomic nucleus of lead-190 (190Pb). These deformations, associated with three distinct shapes--spherical, oblate (resembling a tomato), and prolate (similar to a watermelon)--exist simultaneously near the ground state. The findings, published in Communications Physics in January 2025, were made possible by complementary experimental techniques and call for better theoretical mo...