Neutron drip line in the deformed relativistic Hartree-Bogoliubov theory in continuum: Oxygen to Calcium

Abstract

The location of the neutron drip line, currently known for only the lightest elements, remains a fundamental question in nuclear physics. Its description is a challenge for microscopic nuclear energy density functionals, as it must take into account in a realistic way not only the nuclear potential, but also pairing correlations, deformation effects and coupling to the continuum. The recently developed deformed relativistic Hartree-Bogoliubov theory in continuum (DRHBc) aims to provide a unified description of even-even nuclei throughout the nuclear chart. Here, the DRHBc with the successful density functional PC-PK1 is used to investigate whether and how deformation influences the prediction for the neutron drip-line location for even-even nuclei with 8<=Z<=20, where many isotopes are predicted deformed. The results are compared with those based on the spherical relativistic continuum Hartree-Bogoliubov (RCHB) theory and discussed in terms of shape evolution and the variational principle. It is found that the Ne and Ar drip-line nuclei are different after the deformation effect is included. The direction of the change is not necessarily towards an extended drip line, but rather depends on the evolution of the degree of deformation towards the drip line. Deformation effects as well as pairing and continuum effects treated in a consistent way can affect critically the theoretical description of the neutron drip-line location.

9 pages incl. 7 figures

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• Deformed relativistic Hartree-Bogoliubov theory in continuum with a point-coupling functional. II. Examples of odd Nd isotopes
• Rotating deformed halo nuclei and shape decoupling effects
• Collapse of the $N=28$ shell closure in the newly discovered ${}^{39}$Na and the development of deformed halos towards the neutron dripline
• Possible bound nuclei beyond the two-neutron drip line in the $50⩽Z⩽70$ region
• Missed prediction of the neutron halo in ${}^{37}$Mg
• Angular momentum projection in the deformed relativistic Hartree-Bogoliubov theory in continuum
• Shape coexistence and neutron skin thickness of Pb isotopes by the deformed relativistic Hartree-Bogoliubov theory in continuum
• Optimized Dirac Woods-Saxon basis for covariant density functional theory
• Bubble nuclei with shape coexistence in even-even isotopes of Hf to Hg
• Possible existence of bound nuclei beyond neutron drip lines driven by deformation
• Examination of the evidence for a proton halo in ${}^{22}$Al
• Microscopic study of higher-order deformation effects on the ground states of superheavy nuclei around ${}^{270}$Hs
• Nuclear ground-state properties probed by the relativistic Hartree-Bogoliubov approach
• Nuclear shape evolution of neutron-deficient Au and kink structure of Pb isotopes
• Symmetry Energy from Two-Nucleon Separation Energies of Pb and Ca Isotopes
• Triaxial relativistic Hartree-Bogoliubov theory in continuum for exotic nuclei
• Ground-state properties and structure evolutions of odd-$A$ transuranium Bk isotopes from deformed relativistic Hartree-Bogoliubov theory in continuum
• Nuclear Pairing Energy vs Mean Field Energy: Do They Talk To Each Other For Searching The Energy Minimum?