Covariant density functional theory: Reexamining the structure of superheavy nuclei

Abstract

A systematic investigation of even-even superheavy elements in the region of proton numbers $100\le Z\le 130$ and in the region of neutron numbers from the proton-drip line up to neutron number $N=196$ is presented. For this study we use five most up-to-date covariant energy density functionals of different types, with a non-linear meson coupling, with density dependent meson couplings, and with density-dependent zero-range interactions. Pairing correlations are treated within relativistic Hartree-Bogoliubov (RHB) theory based on an effective separable particle-particle interaction of finite range and deformation effects are taken into account. This allows us to assess the spread of theoretical predictions within the present covariant models for the binding energies, deformation parameters, shell structures and $\alpha$-decay half-lives. Contrary to the previous studies in covariant density functional theory, it was found that the impact of $N=172$ spherical shell gap on the structure of superheavy elements is very limited. Similar to non-relativistic functionals some covariant functionals predict the important role played by the spherical $N=184$ gap. For these functionals (NL3*, DD-ME2 and PC-PK1), there is a band of spherical nuclei along and near the $Z=120$ and $N=184$ lines. However, for other functionals (DD-PC1 and DD-ME$\delta$) oblate shapes dominate at and in the vicinity of these lines. Available experimental data are in general described with comparable accuracy and do not allow to discriminate these predictions.

24 pages, 15 figures, Phys. Rev. C in press

References in corpus (13)

• Neutron-Rich Nuclei in Heaven and Earth
• New parametrization for the nuclear covariant energy density functional with point-coupling interaction
• Relativistic Nuclear Energy Density Functionals: adjusting parameters to binding energies
• DIRHB -- a relativistic self-consistent mean-field framework for atomic nuclei
• Global performance of covariant energy density functionals: ground state observables of even-even nuclei and the estimate of theoretical uncertainties
• Covariant theory of particle-vibrational coupling and its effect on the single-particle spectrum
• The neutron drip line: single-particle degrees of freedom and pairing properties as sources of theoretical uncertainties
• Dirac-Brueckner-Hartree-Fock calculations for isospin asymmetric nuclear matter based on improved approximation schemes
• Central depression in nuclear density and its consequences for the shell structure of superheavy nuclei
• Multidimensionally-constrained relativistic mean-field study of triple-humped barriers in actinides
• Covariant density functional theory: The role of the pion
• Superdeformed Oblate Superheavy Nuclei?
• Nuclear structure theory of the heaviest nuclei

Cited by in corpus (52)

• The limits of the nuclear landscape explored by the relativistic continuum Hatree-Bogoliubov theory
• Towards an ab initio covariant density functional for nuclear structure
• Octupole deformation in the ground states of even-even nuclei: a global analysis within the covariant density functional theory
• Electron and Nucleon Localization Functions of Oganesson: Approaching the Thomas-Fermi Limit
• Covariant energy density functionals: nuclear matter constraints and global ground state properties
• Deformed relativistic Hartree-Bogoliubov theory in continuum with a point-coupling functional. II. Examples of odd Nd isotopes
• Charge radii in covariant density functional theory: a global view
• Assessing theoretical uncertainties in fission barriers of superheavy nuclei
• Hyperheavy nuclei: existence and stability
• Tetrahedral shapes of neutron-rich Zr isotopes from multidimensionally-constrained relativistic Hartree-Bogoliubov model
• Extension of nuclear landscape to hyperheavy nuclei
• Octupole deformation in the ground states of even-even $Z\sim 96,N\sim 196$ actinides and superheavy nuclei
• Possible bound nuclei beyond the two-neutron drip line in the $50⩽Z⩽70$ region
• The propagation of statistical errors in covariant density functional theory: ground state observables and single-particle properties
• Shape coexistence in even-even nuclei: A theoretical overview
• An experimental survey of the production of alpha decaying heavy elements in the reactions of ${}^{238}$U +${}^{232}$Th at 7.5-6.1 MeV/nucleon
• Microscopic description of fission in superheavy nuclei with the parametrization D1M${}^{\ast }$ of the Gogny energy density functional
• Ground state properties and potential energy surfaces of ${}^{270}$Hs from multidimensionally-constrained relativistic mean field model
• Superheavy nuclei in microscopic collective Hamiltonian approach: the impact of beyond mean field correlations on the ground state and fission properties
• Covariant density functional theory input for r-process simulations in actinides and superheavy nuclei: the ground state and fission properties
• Alpha Decay Energies of Superheavy Nuclei: Systematic Trends
• Microscopic description of structural evolution in Pd, Xe, Ba, Nd, Sm, Gd and Dy isotopes
• An efficient solution for Dirac equation in 3D lattice space with the conjugate gradient method
• Fusion cross section of the superheavy $Z$ = 120 nuclei within the relativistic mean-field formalism
• Microscopic study of higher-order deformation effects on the ground states of superheavy nuclei around ${}^{270}$Hs
• Using isotope shift for testing nuclear theory: the case of nobelium isotopes
• Nuclear structure investigation of even-even Sn isotopes within the covariant density functional theory
• Isotopic shift and search of magic number in the superheavy region
• Shell structure and shape transition in odd-$Z$ superheavy nuclei with proton numbers $Z=117,119$: insights from deformed relativistic Hartree-Bogoliubov in continuum
• Systematic study of fusion barrier characteristics within the relativistic mean-field formalism
• "Sloppy" nuclear energy density functionals (II): Finite nuclei
• Sensitivity of isotope shift to distribution of nuclear charge density
• Hyperheavy spherical and toroidal nuclei: the role of shell structure
• Octupole deformation in neutron-rich actinides and superheavy nuclei and the role of nodal structure of single-particle wavefunctions in extremely deformed structures of light nuclei
• Medium dependent relativistic NN potential: Application to the fusion dynamics
• Bubble nuclei: single-particle versus Coulomb interaction effects
• Nuclear pasta and symmetry energy in the relativistic point-coupling model
• Nuclear chart in covariant density functional theory with dynamical correlations: From Oxygen to Tin
• Self-consistent calculations of electron-capture decays in Z=118, 119, and 120 superheavy isotopes
• Competition between weak and alpha-decay modes in superheavy nuclei
• Derivation of the Grodzins relation in collective nuclear model
• Prediction of the excitation energies of the 2${}_1^{+}$ states for superheavy nuclei based on the microscopically derived Grodzins relation
• Thermodynamics of pairing transition for Odd-A nuclei
• Ground state properties and shape evolution in Pt isotopes within the covariant density functional theory
• Shell Evolution in Neutron-rich Ge, Se, Kr and Sr Nuclei within RHB Approach
• Tensor force effect on the neutron shell closure in super-heavy elements
• Stability of the manifold boundary approximation method for reductions of nuclear structure models
• Investigation of ground state properties and shape evolution in Hf isotopes using the CDFT approach
• A novel experimental setup for rare events selection and its potential application to super heavy elements search
• Shape transitions and ground-state properties of tungsten isotopes in covariant density functional theory
• Model for independent particle motion
• Global study of separable pairing interaction in covariant density functional theory