Breaking of neutron magicity at ⁴⁰Mg

It is now universally accepted that the nuclei with even number of neutrons and protons are more stable than those with odd numbers. In particular, there are a few neutrons and protons which have exceptional stability, known as magic numbers. Near or on the stability line, there is a well known and accepted series of magic numbers, but for exotic nuclei away from the stability line or on the drip-lines this conventional series does not hold good. Our present investigations concludes that towards the proton-deficient side, ⁴⁰Mg is found to be deformed with prolate shape as predicted by both the parameters (DD-ME2 and DD-PCX). The N=28 shell closure disappears due to reduced gap between neutron single particle states which indicates the breaking of neutron magicity at ⁴⁰Mg