The nuclear electric quadrupole moment of copper†
Abstract
The nuclear electric quadrupole moment (NQM) of the 63Cu nucleus was determined from an indirect approach by combining accurate experimental nuclear quadrupole coupling constants (NQCCs) with relativistic Dirac-Coulomb coupled cluster calculations of the electric field gradient (EFG). The data obtained at the highest level of calculation, DC-CCSD-T, from 14 linear molecules containing the copper atom give rise to an indicated NQM of −198(10) mbarn. Such result slightly deviates from the previously accepted standard value given by the muonic method, −220(15) mbarn, although the error bars are superimposed.