= Neutron-rich magnesium shell-closure test
A 2013 <RIKEN> experiment used a fast <calcium> beam on <beryllium>, selected radioactive <aluminium> and <silicon> fragments, then struck <carbon> to produce <magnesium> <isotopes> with $N=22,24,26$. Emitted <gamma rays> supplied excitation <energies>; comparison across these <isotopes> supported deformation extending beyond the $N=20$ region toward $28$. This tests the limits of traditional <magic numbers>, not merely their arithmetic. The inferred shape depends on nuclear-structure interpretation of the <energy levels>, rather than direct imaging.<Magic numbers disappear and expand area of nuclear deformation by RIKEN>[20 November 2013, beam preparation, gamma-ray readout and deformation inference]{ref}
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