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Abstract Lifetimes of higher-lying states ($$2_2^+$$ $2_2^{+}$and$$4_1^+$$ $4_1^{+}$) in$$^{16}$$ $_{}^{16}$C have been measured, employing the Gammasphere and Microball detector arrays, as key observables to test and refine ab initio calculations based on interactions developed within chiral Effective Field Theory. The presented experimental constraints to these lifetimes of$$\tau ({2_2^+}) = [\,244, 446]\,~\textrm{fs}$$ $\tau \left(2_2^{+}\right)=[244,446]\text{fs}$and$$\tau ({4_1^+}) = [\,1.8, 4]\,~\textrm{ps}$$ $\tau \left(4_1^{+}\right)=[1.8,4]\text{ps}$, combined with previous results on the lifetime of the$$2_1^+$$ $2_1^{+}$state of$$^{16}$$ $_{}^{16}$C, provide a rather complete set of key observables to benchmark the theoretical developments. We present No-Core Shell-Model calculations using state-of-the-art chiral 2- (NN) and 3-nucleon (3N) interactions at next-to-next-to-next-to-leading order for both the NN and the 3N contributions and a generalized natural-orbital basis (instead of the conventional harmonic-oscillator single-particle basis) which reproduce, for the first time, the experimental findings remarkably well. The level of agreement of the new calculations as compared to the CD-Bonn meson-exchange NN interaction is notable and presents a critical benchmark for theory. 

The boundaries of the Chart of Nuclides contain exotic isotopes that possess extreme proton-toneutron asymmetries. Here we report on two of the most exotic proton-rich isotopes where at least one half of their constitute nucleons are unbound. While the ground state of 8C is a resonance, its first excited state lies in the diffuse borderland between nuclear states and fleeting scattering features. Evidence for 9N, with seven protons and two neutrons, is also presented. This extremely proton-rich system represents the first-known example of a ground-state five-proton emitter. The energies of these states are consistent with theoretical predictions of an open-quantum-system approach.