Atomic nucleus
Halo nuclei and nuclear force range limits

Halos in effect represent an excited state with nucleons in an outer quantum shell which has unfilled energy levels "below" it (both in terms of radius and energy). The halo may be made of either neutrons or protons. Nuclei which have a single neutron halo include Be and C. A two-neutron halo is exhibited by He, Li, B, B and C. Two-neutron halo nuclei break into three fragments, never two, and are called Borromean nuclei because of this behavior (referring to a system of three interlocked rings in which breaking any ring frees both of the others). He and Be both exhibit a four-neutron halo. Nuclei which have a proton halo include B and P. A two-proton halo is exhibited by Ne and S. Proton halos are expected to be more rare and unstable than the neutron examples, because of the repulsive electromagnetic forces of the halo proton(s).
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