With the inclusion of the isovector scalar channel in the meson-nucleon couplings, taking DD-ME$δ$ as an effective interaction, the moments of inertia of neutron stars possessing various stellar masses are studied within the density dependent relativistic mean field (RMF) theory. The isovector scalar channel contributes to the softening of the neutron-star matter equation of state (EOS) and therefore the reduction of the maximum mass and radius of neutron stars. Smaller values of the total moment of inertia $I$ and the crustal moment of inertia $Δ{I}$ are then obtained in DD-ME$δ$ via numerical procedure in comparison with those in other selected RMF functionals. In addition, the involvement of the isovector scalar channel lowers the thickness of the neutron star crust and its mass fraction as well. The sensitivity to both the crustal mass and stellar radius causes the crustal moment of inertia to be more obviously reduced than the total one, eventually leading to a suppression on the fraction of crustal moment of inertia $Δ{I}/I$ in DD-ME$δ$. The results indicate the crustal moment of inertia as a more sensitive probe of the neutron-star matter EOS than the total one, and demonstrate that the isovector scalar meson-nucleon couplings in the RMF theory could exert influence over the physics of pulsar glitches.
An isovector-scalar meson is incorporated self-consistently into the quark-meson coupling description of nuclear matter and its most prominent effects on the structure of neutron stars are investigated. The recent measurement of GW170817 is used to constrain the strength of the isovector-scalar channel. With the imminent measurements of the neutron star radii in the NICER mission it is particularly notable that the inclusion of the isovector-scalar force has a significant impact. Indeed, the effect of this interaction on the neutron star radii and masses is larger than the uncertainties introd…
The interplay between isoscalar and isovector correlations in the 1$^{-}$ states in neutron-rich (N$\neq$Z) even-even nuclei is studied, taking examples of the nuclei, $^{22}_{8}$O$_{14}$ and $^{24}_{8}$O$_{16}$. The excitation modes explored are isovector dipole and isoscalar compression dipole modes. The self-consistent Hartree-Fock plus the random-phase approximation with the Skyrme interaction, SLy4, is solved in coordinate space so as to take properly into account the continuum effect. The isovector peak induced by isoscalar correlation, the isoscalar peak induced by isovector correlation…
The remaining uncertainties of isovector nuclear interactions call for reliable experimental measurements of isovector probes in finite nuclei. Based on the Bayesian analysis, although the neutron-skin thickness data or the isovector giant dipole resonance data in $^{208}$Pb can constrain only one isovector interaction parameter, correlations between other parameters are built. Using combined data of both the neutron-skin thickness and the isovector giant dipole resonance helps to constrain significantly all isovector interaction parameters, thus serves as a useful way in the future analysis.
We propose a new approach for the treatment of isovector pairing in self-consistent mean field calculations which conserves exactly the isospin and the particle number in the pairing channel. The mean field is generated by a Skyrme-HF functional while the isovector pairing correlations are described in terms of quartets formed by two neutrons and two protons coupled to the total isospin T=0. In this framework we analyse the contribution of isovector pairing to the symmetry and Wigner energies. It is shown that the isovector pairing provides a good description of the Wigner energy, which is not…
Neutron-proton (np-) pairing is expected to play an important role in the N Z nuclei. In general, it can have isovector and isoscalar character. The existence of isovector np-pairing is well established. On the contrary, it is still debated whether there is an isoscalar np-pairing. The review of the situation with these two types of pairing with special emphasis on the isoscalar one is presented. It is concluded that there are no substantial evidences for the existence of isoscalar np-pairing.
We use shell model techniques in the complete pf shell to study pair correlations in nuclei. Particular attention is paid to the competition of isoscalar and isovector proton-neutron pairing modes which is investigated in the odd-odd N=Z nucleus 46V and in the chain of even Fe-isotopes. We confirm the dominance of isovector pairing in the ground states. An inspection of the level density and pair correlation strength in 46V, however, shows the increasing relative importance of isoscalar correlations with increasing excitation energy. In the Fe-isotopes we find the expected strong dependence of…
The isoscalar proton-neutron pairing and isovector pairing, including both isovector proton-neutron pairing and like-particle pairing, are treated in a formalism which conserves exactly the particle number and the isospin. The formalism is designed for self-conjugate (N=Z) systems of nucleons moving in axially deformed mean fields and interacting through the most general isovector and isoscalar pairing interactions. The ground state of these systems is described by a superposition of two types of condensates, i.e., condensates of isovector quartets, built by two isovector pairs coupled to the …
We show that the correlations generated in the ground state of $N=Z$ nuclei by the isovector and isoscalar pairing forces can be treated with high precision as a condensate of alpha-like quartets. To treat these correlations, the quartet condensation model (QCM) is extended to the treatment of spherically symmetric isovector $(T=1,J=0)$ and isoscalar $(T=0,J=1)$ pairing forces . Within QCM we discuss the competition between $T=1$ and $T=0$ pairing correlations in the case of a two-level model and for $N=Z$ nuclei with nucleons moving in the open shells above $^{16}$O, $^{40}$Ca and $^{100}$Sn.…
The structure of the isovector dipole resonance in neutron-rich calcium isotope, $^{60}Ca$, has been investigated by implementing a careful treatment of the differences of neutron and proton radii in the continuum random phase approximation ($RPA$). The calculations have taken into account the current estimates of the neutron skin. The estimates of the escape widths for direct neutron decay from the pygmy dipole resonance ($PDR$) were shown rather wide, implicating a strong coupling to the continuum. The width of the giant dipole resonance ($GDR$) was evaluated, bringing on a detailed discussi…
Neutron stars with the isovector scalar $δ$-field are studied in the framework of the relativistic mean field ($RMF$) approach in a pure nucleon plus lepton scheme. The $δ$-field leads to a larger repulsion in dense neutron-rich matter and to a definite splitting of proton and neutron effective masses. Both features are influencing the stability conditions of the neutron stars. Two parametrizations for the effective nonlinear Lagrangian density are used to calculate the nuclear equation of state ($EOS$) and the neutron star properties, and compared to correlated Dirac-Brueckner results. We con…
We determine the coupling constants of $Σ$ hyperon with mesons in relativistic mean field (RMF) models using $Σ^-$ atomic shift data and examine the effects of $Σ$ on the neutron star maximum mass. We find that we need to reduce the vector-isovector meson coupling with $Σ$ ($g_{ρΣ}$) from the value constrained by the SU(3)v symmetry in order to explain the $Σ^-$ atomic shifts for light symmetric and heavy asymmetric nuclei simultaneously. With the atomic shift fit value of $g_{ρΣ}$, $Σ^-$ can emerge in neutron star matter overcoming the repulsive isoscalar potential for $Σ$ hyperons. Admixture…
Density dependent relativistic Hartree-Fock theory has been extended to describe properties of exotic nuclei. The effects of Fock exchange terms and of pi - and rho - meson contributions are discussed. These effects are found to be more important for neutron rich nuclei than for nuclei near the valley of stability.
The particle number projected BCS (PBCS) approximation is tested against the exact solution of the SO(5) Richardson-Gaudin model for isovector pairing in a system of non-degenerate single particle orbits. Two isovector PBCS wave functions are considered. One is constructed as a single proton-neutron pair condensate, while the other corresponds to a product of a neutron pair condensate and a proton pair condensate. The PBCS equations are solved using a recurrence method and the analysis is performed for systems with an equal number of neutrons and protons distributed in a sequence of equally sp…
We study the effects of isovector-scalar ($δ$)-meson on neutron star. Influence of $δ$-meson on both static and rotating neutron star is discussed. Inclusion of $δ$-meson in a neutron star system consisting of proton, neutron and electron, make the equation of state stiffer in higher density and consequently increases the maximum mass of the star. But induction of $δ$-meson in the hyperon star decreases the maximum mass of the hyperon star. This is due to the early evolution of hyperons in presence of $δ-$meson.
The E1 strength is systematically analyzed in very neutron-rich Sn nuclei, beyond $^{132}$Sn until $^{166}$Sn, within the Relativistic Quasiparticle Random Phase Approximation. The great neutron excess favors the appearance of a deformed ground state for $^{142-162}$Sn. The evolution of the low-lying strength in deformed nuclei is determined by the interplay of two factors, isospin asymmetry and deformation: while greater neutron excess increases the total low-lying strength, deformation hinders and spreads it. Very neutron rich deformed nuclei may not be as good candidates as stable spherical…
We propose a particle number conserving formalism for the treatment of isovector-isoscalar pairing in nuclei with $N>Z$. The ground state of the pairing Hamiltonian is described by a quartet condensate to which is appended a pair condensate formed by the neutrons in excess. The quartets are built by two isovector pairs coupled to the total isospin $T=0$ and two collective isoscalar proton-neutron pairs. To probe this ansatz for the ground state we performed calculations for $N>Z$ nuclei with the valence nucleons moving above the cores $^{16}$O, $^{40}$Ca and $^{100}$Sn. The calculations are do…
The complete exact solution of the T=1 neutron-proton pairing Hamiltonian is presented in the context of the SO(5) Richardson-Gaudin model with non-degenerate single-particle levels and including isospin-symmetry breaking terms. The power of the method is illustrated with a numerical calculation for $^{64}$Ge for a $pf+g_{9/2}$ model space which is out of reach of modern shell-model codes.
The formal implications of a quartet coherent state ansatz for proton-neutron pairing are analyzed. Its nonlinear annihilation operators, which generalize the BCS linear quasiparticle operators, are computed in the quartetting case. Their structure is found to generate nontrivial relationships between the many body correlation functions. The intrinsic structure of the quartet coherent state is detailed, as it hints to the precise correspondence between the quartetting picture and the symmetry restored pair condensate picture for the proton-neutron pairing correlations.
We investigate the isoscalar and isovector E1 response of neutron-rich nuclei, within a semi-classical transport model employing effective interactions for the nuclear mean-field. In particular, we adopt the recently introduced SAMi-J Skyrme interactions, whose parameters are specifically tuned to improve the description of spin-isospin properties of nuclei. Our analysis evidences a relevant degree of isoscalar/isovector mixing of the collective excitations developing in neutron-rich systems. Focusing on the low-lying strength emerging in the isovector response, we show that this energy region…
We examine the effects of the isovector-vector coupling and hypercharge-vector coupling in quark matter on hadron-quark coexistence in neutron-star matter. The relativistic mean field theory with the TM1 parameter set and an extended TM1 parameter set are used to describe hadronic matter, and the Nambu-Jona-Lasinio model with scalar, isoscalar-vector, isovector-vector and hypercharge-vector couplings is used to describe deconfined quark matter. The hadron-quark phase transition is constructed via the Gibbs conditions for phase equilibrium. The isovector-vector and hypercharge-vector couplings …
We search for potential isovector signatures in the neutron-rich oxygen and calcium isotopes within the framework of a relativistic mean-field theory with an exact treatment of pairing correlations. To probe the isovector sector we calibrate a few relativistic density functionals using the same isoscalar constraints but with one differing isovector assumption. It is found that under certain conditions, the isotopic chain in oxygen can be made to terminate at the experimentally observed ${}^{24}$O isotope and in the case of the calcium isotopes at ${}^{60}$Ca. To produce such behavior, the resu…
The self-consistent random phase approximation (RPA), based on the framework of relativistic energy density functionals, is employed in the study of isovector and isoscalar dipole response in $^{68}$Ni, $^{132}$Sn, and $^{208}$Pb. The evolution of pygmy dipole states (PDS) in the region of low excitation energies is analyzed as a function of the density-dependence of the symmetry energy for a set of relativistic effective interactions. The occurrence of PDS is predicted in the response to both the isovector and isoscalar dipole operators, and its strength is enhanced with the increase of the s…
The isoscalar and isovector particle densities and the surface tension coefficients at the average binding energy are used to derive analytical expressions of the neutron skin thickness and the isovector stiffness of sharp edged proton-neutron asymmetric nuclei. For most Skyrme forces these quantities are significantly larger than the well known ones. Using the analytical isovector surface energy constants in the framework of the hydrodynamical and the Fermi-liquid droplet models the mean energies and the sum rules of the isovector giant dipole resonances are in fair agreement with the experim…
Using the relativistic mean-field model with nonlinear couplings between the isoscalar and isovector mesons, we study the properties of isospin-asymmetric nuclear matter. Not only the vector mixing, $ω_μω^μ\mathbfρ_ν\mathbfρ^ν$, but also the quartic interaction due to the scalar mesons, $σ^{2}\mathbfδ^{2}$, is taken into account to investigate the density dependence of nuclear symmetry energy, $E_{\rm sym}$, and the neutron-star properties. It is found that the $δ$ meson increases $E_{\rm sym}$ at high densities, whereas the $σ$-$δ$ mixing makes $E_{\rm sym}$ soft above the saturation density.…
We utilize a nuclear shell model Hamiltonian with only two adjustable parameters to generate, for the first time, exact solutions for pairing correlations for light to medium-mass nuclei, including the challenging proton-neutron pairs, while also identifying the primary physics involved. In addition to single-particle energy and Coulomb potential terms, the shell model Hamiltonian consists of an isovector $T=1$ pairing interaction and an average proton-neutron isoscalar $T=0$ interaction, where the $T=0$ term describes the average interaction between non-paired protons and neutrons. This Hamil…
We study the effects of isovector-scalar meson $δ$ on the equation of state (EOS) of neutron star matter in strong magnetic fields. The EOS of neutron-star matter and nucleon effective masses are calculated in the framework of Lagrangian field theory, which is solved within the mean-field approximation. From the numerical results one can find that the $δ$-field leads to a remarkable splitting of proton and neutron effective masses. The strength of $δ$-field decreases with the increasing of the magnetic field and is little at ultrastrong field. The proton effective mass is highly influenced by …
We perform Shell Model Monte Carlo calculations to study pair correlations in the ground states of $N=Z$ nuclei with masses A=48-60. We find that $T=1$, $J^π=0^+$ proton-neutron correlations play an important, and even dominant role, in the ground states of odd-odd $N=Z$ nuclei, in agreement with experiment. By studying pairing in the ground states of $^{52-58}$Fe, we observe that the isovector proton-neutron correlations decrease rapidly with increasing neutron excess. In contrast, both the proton, and trivially the neutron correlations increase as neutrons are added. We also study the therma…
We employ a variational method, in the framework of the Thomas-Fermi approximation, to study the effect of the symmetry energy on the neutron skin thickness and the symmetry energy coefficients of various neutron rich nuclei. We concentrate our interest on $^{208}$Pb, $^{124}$Sn, $^{90}$Zr, and $^{48}$Ca, although the method can be applied in the totality of medium and heavy neutron rich nuclei. Our approach has the advantage that the isospin asymmetry function $α(r)$, which is the key quantity to calculate isovector properties of various nuclei, is directly related with the symmetry energy as…
DWBA analysis of the inelastic $^{30-40}$S$(p,p')$ and $^{18-22}$O$(p,p')$ scattering data measured in the inverse kinematics has been performed to determine the isoscalar ($δ_0$) and isovector ($δ_1$) deformation lengths of the 2$^+_1$ excitations in the Sulfur and Oxygen isotopes using a compact folding approach. A systematic $N$-dependence of $δ_0$ and $δ_1$ has been established which shows a link between $δ_1$ and the neutron-shell closure. Strong isovector deformations were found in several cases, e.g., the 2$^+_1$ state in $^{20}$O where $δ_1$ is nearly three times larger than $δ_0$. The…
The deconfinement phase transition from hadronic matter to quark matter in the interior of compact stars is investigated. The hadronic phase is described in the framework of relativistic mean-field (RMF) theory, when also the scalar-isovector delta-meson effective field is taken into account. The MIT bag model for describing a quark phase is used. The changes of the parameters of phase transition caused by the presence of delta-meson field are explored. Finally, alterations in the integral and structural parameters of hybrid stars due to both deconfinement phase transition and inclusion of del…
We study the equation of state of neutron-star matter including the effects of isovector-vector coupling in quark matter. We employ the relativistic mean-field theory with an extended TM1 parameter set to describe hadronic matter and the SU(3) Nambu-Jona-Lasinio model with isovector-vector and hypercharge-vector couplings to describe the quark matter. The deconfinement hadron-quark phase transition is constructed under Gibbs phase equilibrium conditions. It is found that the isovector-vector and hypercharge-vector couplings in quark matter enhance the symmetry energy and hypercharge symmetry e…
The long standing problem of proton-neutron pairing and, in particular, the limitations imposed on the solutions by the available symmetries, is revisited. We look for solutions with non-vanishing expectation values of the proton, the neutron and the isoscalar gaps. For an equal number of protons and neutrons we find two solutions where the absolute values of proton and neutrons gaps are equal but have the same or opposite sign. The behavior and structure of these solutions differ for spin saturated (single l-shell) and spin unsaturared systems (single j-shell). In the former case the BCS resu…
Mutual entrainment effects in cold neutron-proton mixtures are studied in the framework of the self-consistent nuclear energy-density functional theory. Exact expressions for the mass currents, valid for both homogeneous and inhomogeneous systems, are directly derived from the time-dependent Hartree-Fock equations with no further approximation. The equivalence with the Fermi-liquid expression is also demonstrated. Focusing on neutron-star cores, a convenient and simple analytical formulation of the entrainment matrix in terms of the isovector effective mass is found, thus allowing to relate en…
In an effort to understand the magical status of N=32 and N=34 at the very neutron rich edge, experiments have been carried out in the Titanium isotopes up to A=56. The measured staggering of the B(E2)'s is not reproduced by the shell model calculations using the best effective interactions. We argue that this may be related to the choice of the isovector effective charge and to the value of the N=34 neutron gap.
Based on the accurately calibrated interaction FSUGold, we show that including isovector scalar $δ$ meson and its coupling to isoscalar scalar $σ$ meson in the relativistic mean field (RMF) model can soften the symmetry energy $E_{\rm{sym}}(n)$ at intermediate densities while stiffen the $E_{\rm{sym}}(n)$ at high densities. We find this new RMF model can be simultaneously compatible with (1) the constraints on the equation of state of symmetric nuclear matter at suprasaturation densities from flow data in heavy-ion collisions, (2) the neutron skin thickness of $^{208}$Pb from the PREX-II exper…
In the framework of the relativistic mean-field theory, we have considered the equation of state of superdense nuclear matter, taking into account an effective scalar-isovector delta-meson field. The effect of the delta-meson field on the characteristics of a Maxwell-type quark phase transition has been studied. The quark phase is described with the aid of the improved version of the MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) bag model, in which interactions between the u, d, s quarks inside the bag are taken into account in the one-gluon exchange approximation. For different values of the ba…
We show that isospin non-diagonal terms should appear in the mean field Hamiltonian when neutron-proton symmetry is broken. They give rise to charge mixing in the single-particle wave-functions. We study the Time Dependent Hartree-Fock response of a charge-exchange excitation which generates a charge mixing in Ca isotopes. We find an enhancement of the low energy proton emission in neutron-rich isotopes interpreted in terms of a charge oscillation below the barrier.
The effects of the isovector-scalar $δ$-meson field on the properties of finite nuclei, infinite nuclear matter and neutron stars are investigated within the Relativistic Mean Field (RMF) model which includes non-linear couplings. Several parameter sets (SRV's) are generated to asses the influence of $δ$-meson on the properties of neutron star. These parametrizations correspond to different values of coupling constant of $δ$-meson to the nucleons with remaining ones calibrated to yield finite nuclei and infinite nuclear matter properties consistent with the available experimental data. It is o…
Thermal behavior of isoscalar and isovector proton-neutron (pn) pairing energies at finite temperature are investigated by the shell model calculations. These pn pairing energies can be estimated by double differences of "thermal" energies which are extended from the double differences of binding energies as the indicators of pn pairing energies at zero temperature. We found that the delicate balance between isoscalar and isovector pn pairing energies at zero temperature disappears at finite temperature. When temperature rises, while the isovector pn pairing energy decreases, the isoscalar pn …
We derive the exact $T=0$ seniority-zero eigenstates of the isovector pairing Hamiltonian for an even number of protons and neutrons. Nucleons are supposed to be distributed over a set of non-degenerate levels and to interact through a pairing force with constant strength. We show that these eigenstates (and among them, in particular, the ground state) are linear superpositions of products of $T=1$ collective pairs arranged into $T=0$ quartets. This grouping of protons and neutrons first into $T=1$ collective pairs and then into $T=0$ quartets represents the distinctive feature of these eigens…
The mean values of a many-body Hamiltonian including a proton-neutron pairing term and matrix elements of one-, two- and four-body operators within a basis of particle number projected BCS states, are analytically expressed in terms of a single function Q(N) depending on the number of particles, $N$. The function Q(N) is calculated using a recursion in $N$ in which the shells and the BCS angles are kept the same for any step of iteration. An illustrative example is numerically considered in a restricted single particle space. Some specific features for the standard BCS, the projection after va…
Relativistic mean field (RMF) theory of nuclear matter with the isovector scalar mean field corresponding to the delta-meson [a_0(980)] is studied. While the delta-meson mean field vanishes in symmetric nuclear matter, it can influence properties of asymmetric nuclear matter in neutron stars. The RMF contribution due to delta-field to the nuclear symmetry energy is negative. To fit the empirical value, E_s=30 MeV, a stronger rho-meson coupling is required than in the absence of the delta-field. The energy per particle of neutron matter is then larger at high densities than the one with no delt…
The role of the isoscalar hyperon Lambda in probing the density dependence of the nuclear symmetry energy is studied in multi-Lambda hypernuclei, hyperon-rich matter and neutron stars in relativistic models. Relationships between the properties of three types of objects and the neutron thickness in 208Pb are established with respect to the isoscalar-isovector coupling that modifies the density dependence of the symmetry energy. The exotic isotopes far from the neutron drip line can be stabilized by filling in considerable Lambda hyperons. The difference of the binding energy of multi-Lambda hy…
The extraction of the isovector s-wave pi N amplitude from pionic atoms is studied with special emphasis on uncertainties and their dependence on the assumptions made regarding the neutron density distributions in nuclei and on the size of the data base used . Only `global' analyses of pionic-atom data reveal a discrepancy between the extracted isovector s-wave pi N amplitude b_1=-0.108\pm0.007 m_π^{-1} and its free pi N counterpart b_1^{free}=-0.0885^{+0.0010}_{-0.0021} m_π^{-1}, where the uncertainty in the neutron densities is included in the error analysis. The role of `deeply bound' pioni…
The determination of nuclear symmetry energy, and in particular, its density dependence, is a long-standing problem for nuclear physics community. Previous studies have found that the product of electric dipole polarizability $α_D$ and symmetry energy at saturation density $J$ has a strong linear correlation with $L$, the slope parameter of symmetry energy. However, current uncertainty of $J$ hinders the precise constraint on $L$. We investigate the correlations between electric dipole polarizability $α_D$ (or times symmetry energy at saturation density $J$) in Sn isotopes and the slope parame…
Toward a universal description of pairing properties in nuclei far from stability, we extend the energy density functional by enriching the isovector density dependence in the particle-particle channel (pair density functional, pair-DF). We emphasize the necessity of both the linear and quadratic isovector density terms. The parameters are optimized by the Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov calculation for 156 nuclei of the mass number A=118-196 and the asymmetry parameter (N-Z)/A<0.25. We clarify that the pair-DF should include the isovector density dependence in order to take into account the effect of…
We study the spatial correlation of a particle-hole pair in the isovector channel in $^{56}$Co and $^{40}$K nuclei. To this end, we employ the Hartree-Fock+Tamm-Dancoff approximation with the Skyrme interaction. We find a large concentration of the two-body density at positions where the neutron particle and the proton hole states locate on the opposite side to each other with respect to the core nucleus. This feature originates from a repulsive nature of the isovector residual interaction, which is in stark contrast to the dineutron correlation with an attractive pairing interaction between t…
Recent improvements in the experimental determination of properties of the Isovector Giant Quadrupole Resonance (IVGQR), as demonstrated in the A=208 mass region, may be instrumental for characterizing the isovector channel of the effective nuclear interaction. We analyze properties of the IVGQR in 208Pb, using both macroscopic and microscopic approaches. The microscopic method is based on families of non-relativistic and covariant Energy Density Functionals (EDF), characterized by a systematic variation of isoscalar and isovector properties of the corresponding nuclear matter equations of sta…
The mass difference between the even-even isobaric nuclei having the valence nucleons on the same degenerate level is attributed to a Josephson-type interaction between pairs of protons and pairs of neutrons. This interaction can be understood as an isospin symmetry-breaking mean field for a four-particle interaction separable in the two particles-two holes channel. The strength of this mean field is estimated within an o(5) algebraic model, by using the experimental value of the inertial parameter for the collective isorotation induced by the breaking of the isospin symmetry. In superfluid nu…
We analyse the contribution of isovector and isoscalar proton-neutron pairing to the binding energies of even-even nuclei with $N-Z=0,2,4$ and atomic mass $20 < A <100$. The binding energies are calculated in the mean-field approach by coupling a Skyrme-type functional to an isovector-isoscalar pairing force of zero range. The latter is treated in the framework of quartet condensation model (QCM), which conserves exactly the particle number and the isospin. The interdependence of pairing and deformation is taken into account by performing self-consistent Skyrme-HF+QCM calculations in the intri…
We try to single out some qualitative new effects of the coupling to the $δ$-isovector-scalar meson introduced in a minimal way in a phenomenological hadronic field theory. Results for the equation of state ($EOS$) and the phase diagram of asymmetric nuclear matter ($ANM$) are discussed. We stress the consistency of the $δ$-coupling introduction in a relativistic approach. New contributions to the slope and curvature of the symmetry energy and the neutron-proton effective mass splitting appear particularly interesting. A more repulsive $EOS$ for neutron matter at high baryon densities is expec…
In the present work, the isovector dipole responses, both in the resonance region and in the low-energy sector, are investigated using the microscopic nuclear Energy Density Functionals (EDFs). The self-consistent QRPA model based on Skyrme Hartree Fock BCS approach is applied to study the evolution of the isovector dipole strength by increasing neutron number and temperature. First, the isovector dipole strength and excitation energies are investigated for the Ni isotopic chain at zero temperature. The evolution of the low-energy dipole strength is studied as a function of the neutron number.…
A simple model based on the group SO(5) suggests that both the like-particle and neutron-proton components of isovector pairing correlations in odd-A nuclei are Pauli blocked. The same effect emerges from Monte Carlo Shell-model calculations of proton-rich nuclei in the full fp shell. There are small differences between the two models in their representation of the effects of an odd nucleon on the competition between like-particle and neutron-proton pairing, but they can be understood and reduced by using a two-level version of the SO(5) model. On the other hand, in odd-odd nuclei with N not e…
We investigate the BCS treatment of neutron-proton pairing involving time-reversed orbits. We conclude that an isospin-symmetric hamiltonian, treated with the help of the generalized Bogolyubov transformation, fails to describe the ground state pairing properties correctly. In order for the np isovector pairs to coexist with the like-particle pairs, one has to break the isospin symmetry of the hamiltonian by artificially increasing the strength of np pairing interaction above its isospin symmetric value. We conjecture that the np isovector pairing represents part (or most) of the congruence en…