Aluminium-20 shatters nuclear norms with explosive triple-proton breakup

Scientists have observed a brand-new and exotic atomic nucleus: aluminium-20. Unlike anything seen before, it decays through a stunning three-proton emission sequence, shedding light on nuclear behavior far beyond the limits of stability. This breakthrough, involving researchers from China and Germany, not only adds a new isotope to the nuclear chart but also hints at broken symmetry and unexpected quantum properties deep within matter.