In this first-of-its-kind survey conducted on heavy and deformed nuclei in the actinide region of the nuclear chart, we have charted nuclear ground state properties predicted by Fayans energy density functionals (EDFs), focusing in particularly on octupole deformability. Compared to earlier studies with Skyrme-based EDFs, we found similar region of octupole deformed nuclei. Moreover, Fayans EDFs were found to provide accurate predictions for various ground state properties, when compared to experimental data. Comparison to Skyrme-based EDF shows similar trends in various nuclear properties.
The analytic quadrupole octupole axially symmetric model, which had successfully predicted 226Ra and 226Th as lying at the border between the regions of octupole deformation and octupole vibrations in the light actinides using an infinite well potential (AQOA-IW), is made applicable to a wider region of nuclei exhibiting octupole deformation, through the use of a Davidson potential (AQOA-D). Analytic expressions for energy spectra and B(E1), B(E2), B(E3) transition rates are derived. The spectra of 222-226Ra and 224,226Th are described in terms of the two parameters phi_0 (expressing the relat…
Octupole deformed shapes in neutron-rich actinides and superheavy nuclei as well as extremely deformed shapes of the N~Z light nuclei have been investigated within the framework of covariant density functional theory. We confirmed the presence of new region of octupole deformation in neutron-rich actinides with the center around Z~96, N~196 but our calculations do not predict octupole deformation in the ground states of superheavy Z~108 nuclei. As exemplified by the study of 36Ar, the nodal structure of the wavefunction of occupied single-particle orbitals in extremely deformed structures allo…
Quadrupole and octupole deformation energy surfaces, low-energy excitation spectra, and electric transition rates in eight neutron-rich isotopic chains -- Ra, Th, U, Pu, Cm, Cf, Fm, and No -- are systematically analyzed using a quadrupole-octupole collective Hamiltonian model, with parameters determined by constrained reflection-asymmetric and axially-symmetric relativistic mean-field calculations based on the PC-PK1 energy density functional. The theoretical results of low-lying negative-parity bands, odd-even staggering, average octupole deformations $\langleβ_3\rangle$, and $B(E3; 3^-_1\to …
We show that the measured intrinsic octupole moments of $^{220}$Rn, $^{224}$Ra, and $^{226}$Ra constrain the intrinsic Schiff moments of $^{225}$Ra$^{221}$Rn, $^{223}$Rn, $^{223}$Fr, $^{225}$Ra, and $^{229}$Pa. The result is a dramatically reduced uncertainty in intrinsic Schiff moments. Direct measurements of octupole moments in odd nuclei will reduce the uncertainty even more. The only significant source of nuclear-physics error in the laboratory Schiff moments will then be the intrinsic matrix elements of the time-reversal non-invariant interaction produced by CP-violating fundamental physi…
A systematic search for axial octupole deformation in the actinides and superheavy nuclei with proton numbers $Z=88-126$ and neutron numbers from two-proton drip line up to $N=210$ has been performed in covariant density functional theory (DFT) using four state-of-the-art covariant energy density functionals representing different model classes. The nuclei in the $Z\sim 96, N\sim 196$ region of octupole deformation have been investigated in detail and the systematic uncertainties in the description of their observables have been quantified. Similar region of octupole deformation exists also in…
The interplay between quadrupole and octupole degrees of freedom is discussed in a series of neutron-rich actinides and superheavy nuclei with $92 \le$ Z $\le 110$ and $186 \le$ N $\le 202$. In addition to the static Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov approach, dynamical beyond-mean-field correlations are taken into account via both parity restoration and symmetry-conserving Generator Coordinate Method calculations based on the Gogny-D1M energy density functional. Physical properties such as correlation energies, negative-parity excitation energies as well as reduced transition probabilities $B(E1)$ and …
In this work we examine the possibility to describe yrast positive- and negative-parity excitations of deformed even-even nuclei through a collective rotation model in which the nuclear surface is characterized by triaxial quadrupole and octupole deformations. The nuclear moments of inertia are expressed as sums of quadrupole and octupole parts. By assuming an adiabatic separation of rotation and vibration degrees of freedom we suppose that the structure of the positive- and negative- parity bands may be determined by the triaxial-rigid-rotor motion of the nucleus. By diagonalizing the Hamilto…
The interplay between quadrupole and octupole degrees of freedom is discussed in a series of U, Pu, Cm and Cf isotopes both at the mean-field level and beyond. In addition to the static Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov approach, dynamical beyond-mean-field correlations are taken into account via both parity restoration and symmetry-conserving Generator Coordinate Method calculations based on the parametrization D1M of the Gogny energy density functional. Physical properties such as correlation energies, negative-parity excitation energies as well as reduced transition probabilities $B(E1)$ and $B(E3)$ …
The evolution of quadrupole and octupole collectivity and their coupling is investigated in a series of even-even isotopes of the actinide Ra, Th, U, Pu, Cm, and Cf with neutron number in the interval $130\leqslant N\leqslant 150$. The Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov approximation, based on the parametrization D1M of the Gogny energy density functional, is employed to generate potential energy surfaces depending upon the axially-symmetric quadrupole and octupole shape degrees of freedom. The mean-field energy surface is then mapped onto the expectation value of the $sdf$ interacting-boson-model Hamilt…
$J^π$= 0$^+$ states have been investigated in the actinide nucleus ${}^{240}$Pu up to an excitation energy of 3 MeV with a high-resolution (p,t) experiment at $E_{p}$= 24 MeV. To test the recently proposed $J^π$= 0$^+_2$ double-octupole structure, the phenomenological approach of the spdf-interacting boson model has been chosen. In addition, the total 0$^+$ strength distribution and the $0^+$ strength fragmentation have been compared to the model predictions as well as to the previously studied (p,t) reactions in the actinides. The results suggest that the structure of the 0$^+_2$ states in th…
We discuss the octupole deformation properties of many even-even actinide isotopes. The analysis is carried out in the mean field framework (Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov approximation) by using the axially symmetric octupole moment as a constraint. A one-dimensional octupole collective Hamiltonian is used to obtain properties like excitation energies or $E1$ and $E3$ transition probabilities of the negative parity band-heads associated to the lowest lying $1^{-}$ and $3^{-}$ states. The evolution of these values with neutron number is discussed and a comparison with available experimental data is m…
Nuclear fission of heavy (actinide) nuclei results predominantly in asymmetric mass-splits. Without quantum shells, which can give extra binding energy to these mass-asymmetric shapes, the nuclei would fission symmetrically. The strongest shell effects are in spherical nuclei, so naturally the spherical "doubly-magic" ${^{132}}$Sn nucleus (${Z=50}$ protons), was expected to play a major role. However, a systematic study of fission has shown that the heavy fragments are distributed around ${Z=52}$ to 56, indicating that ${^{132}}$Sn is not the only driver. Reconciling the strong spherical shell…
The quadrupole-octupole coupling and the related spectroscopic properties have been studied for the even-even light actinides $^{218-238}$Ra and $^{220-240}$Th. The Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov approximation, based on the Gogny-D1M energy density functional, has been employed as a microscopic input, i.e., to obtain (axially symmetric) mean-field potential energy surfaces as functions of the quadrupole and octupole deformation parameters. The mean-field potential energy surfaces have been mapped onto the corresponding bosonic potential energy surfaces using the expectation value of the $sdf$ Interac…
A systematic analysis of low-lying quadrupole and octupole collective states is presented, based on the microscopic energy density functional framework. By mapping the deformation constrained self-consistent axially symmetric mean-field energy surfaces onto the equivalent Hamiltonian of the $sdf$ interacting boson model (IBM), that is, onto the energy expectation value in the boson condensate state, the Hamiltonian parameters are determined. The study is based on the global relativistic energy density functional DD-PC1. The resulting IBM Hamiltonian is used to calculate excitation spectra and …
Delta I = 1 staggering in octupole bands of light actinides: "Beat" patterns
发现轻锕系元素八极带中的Δ I = 1交错（奇-偶交错）表现出作为角动量I的函数的“拍”行为，迫使我们修改传统的信念，即这种交错逐渐减小到零，然后保持在这个零值。各种代数模型（spf-相互作用玻色子模型，spdf-IBM，矢量玻色子模型，核振动模型）被证明预测在其su（3）限制恒定交错的情况下，因此无法描述的“拍”的行为。的“拍”的行为的解释是在两个邓纳姆展开（扩展在幂的I（I+1））的系数略有不同的设置为基态带和负宇称带，系数的值的差异被归因于科里奥利耦合到其他负宇称带。类似的“拍”模式已经在一些双原子分子的旋转带中看到，如AgH。
Low-energy positive and negative parity collective states in the equilibrium minimum, and the dynamics of induced fission of actinide nuclei are investigated in a unified theoretical framework based on the generator coordinate method (GCM) with the Gaussian overlap approximation (GOA). The collective potential and inertia tensor, both at zero and finite temperature, are computed using the self-consistent multidimensionally constrained relativistic mean field (MDC-RMF) model, based on the energy density functional DD-PC1. Pairing correlations are treated in the BCS approximation with a separabl…
We have developed multi-dimensional constrained covariant density functional theories (MDC-CDFT) for finite nuclei in which the shape degrees of freedom β_{λμ} with even μ, e.g., β_{20}, β_{22}, β_{30}, β_{32}, β_{40}, etc., can be described simultaneously. The functional can be one of the following four forms: the meson exchange or point-coupling nucleon interactions combined with the non-linear or density-dependent couplings. For the pp channel, either the BCS approach or the Bogoliubov transformation is implemented. The MDC-CDFTs with the BCS approach for the pairing (in the following label…
We analyze the octupole deformations and the related collective excitations in medium-heavy and heavy nuclei based on the microscopic framework of the nuclear energy density functional theory. Constrained self-consistent mean-field calculation with a given energy density functional is performed to provide for each nucleus a potential energy surface with axial quadrupole and octupole shape degrees of freedom. Spectroscopic properties are computed by means of the interacting-boson Hamiltonian, which is determined by mapping the fermionic potential energy surface onto the bosonic counterpart. The…
For the first time the potential energy surfaces of actinide nuclei in the $(β_{20}, β_{22}, β_{30})$ deformation space are obtained from a multi-dimensional constrained covariant density functional theory. With this newly developed theory we are able to explore the importance of the triaxial and octupole shapes simultaneously along the whole fission path. It is found that besides the octupole deformation, the triaxiality also plays an important role upon the second fission barriers. The outer barrier as well as the inner barrier are lowered by the triaxial deformation compared with axially sy…
The phenomenon of reflection-asymmetric nuclear shapes is relevant to nuclear stability, nuclear spectroscopy, nuclear decays and fission, and the search for new physics beyond the standard model. Global surveys of ground-state octupole deformation, performed with a limited number of models, suggest that the number of pear-shaped isotopes is fairly limited across the nuclear landscape. We carry out global analysis of ground-state octupole deformations for particle-bound even-even nuclei with $Z \leq 110$ and $N \leq 210$ using nuclear density functional theory (DFT) with several non-relativist…
Cluster radioactivity is the emission of a fragment heavier than $α$ particle and lighter than mass 50. The range of clusters observed in experiments goes from $^{14}$C to $^{32}$Si while the heavy mass residue is always a nucleus in the neighborhood of the doubly-magic $^{208}$Pb nucleus. Cluster radioactivity is described in this paper as a very asymmetric nuclear fission. A new fission valley leading to a decay with large fragment mass asymmetry matching the cluster radioactivity products is found. The mass octupole moment is found to be more convenient than the standard quadrupole moment a…
Reflection asymmetric, octupole shapes in nuclei are a prominent aspect of nuclear structure, and have been recurrently studied over the decades. Recent experiments using radioactive-ion beams have provided evidence for stable octupole shapes. A variety of nuclear models have been employed for the related theoretical analyses. We review recent studies on the nuclear octupole shapes and collective excitations within the interacting boson model. A special focus is placed on the microscopic formulation of this model by using the mean-field method that is based on the framework of nuclear density …
Multi-dimensional constrained covariant density functional theories were developed recently. In these theories, all shape degrees of freedom β_{λμ} deformations with even μare allowed, e.g., β_{20}, β_{22}, β_{30}, β_{32}, β_{40}, β_{42}, β_{44}, and so on and the CDFT functional can be one of the following four forms: the meson exchange or point-coupling nucleon interactions combined with the non-linear or density-dependent couplings. In this contribution, some applications of these theories are presented. The potential energy surfaces of actinide nuclei in the (β_{20}, β_{22}, β_{30}) deform…
The cranked relativistic Hartree-Bogoliubov (CRHB) theory has been applied for a systematic study of pairing and rotational properties of actinides and light superheavy nuclei. Pairing correlations are taken into account by the Brink-Booker part of finite range Gogny D1S force. For the first time in the covariant density functional theory (CDFT) framework the pairing properties are studied via the quantities (such as three-point $Δ^{(3)}$ indicators) related to odd-even mass staggerings. The investigation of the moments of inertia at low spin and the $Δ^{(3)}$ indicators shows the need for an …
The physical conditions for the emergence of the extremely low-lying nuclear isomer $^{229m}$Th at approximately 8 eV are investigated in the framework of our recently proposed nuclear structure model. Our theoretical approach explains the $^{229m}$Th-isomer phenomenon as the result of a very fine interplay between collective quadrupole-octupole and single-particle dynamics in the nucleus. We find that the isomeric state can only appear in a rather limited model space of quadrupole-octupole deformations in the single-particle potential, with the octupole deformation being of a crucial importan…
The intrinsic nuclear shapes deviating from a sphere not only manifest themselves in nuclear collective states but also play important roles in determining nuclear potential energy surfaces (PES's) and fission barriers. In order to describe microscopically and self-consistently nuclear shapes and PES's with as many shape degrees of freedom as possible included, we developed multidimensionally-constrained covariant density functional theories (MDC-CDFTs). In MDC-CDFTs, the axial symmetry and the reflection symmetry are both broken and all deformations characterized by $β_{λμ}$ with even $μ$ are…
