Covariant density functional theory input for r-process simulations in actinides and superheavy nuclei: The ground state and fission properties

2020/11/26 by A. Taninah, S. E. Agbemava, A. V. Afanasjev
Engineering · Physics and Astronomy · #Actinide #Astronomical and nuclear sciences #Atomic physics #Covariant transformation #Density functional theory #Fission #Ground state #Mathematical physics #Neutron #Nuclear physics #Nuclear physics research studies #Nuclear reactor physics and engineering #Observable #Particle physics #Physics #Proton #Quantum mechanics #nucl-th

paper · pdf · doi:10.1103/physrevc.102.054330

published as Physical Review C 102, 054330 (2020) · 28 pages, 18 figures, Physical Review C, in press

arxiv created 2020/11/26 · openalex publication_date 2020/11/30 · openalex created_date 2020/12/07 · arxiv updated 2021/03/09 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/05

Abstract

A systematic investigation of the ground-state and fission properties of even-even actinides and superheavy nuclei with Z=90--120 from the two-proton up to two-neutron drip lines with proper assessment of systematic theoretical uncertainties has been performed for the first time in the framework of covariant density functional theory (CDFT). These results provide a necessary theoretical input for the r-process modeling in heavy nuclei and, in particular, for the study of fission cycling. Four state-of-the-art globally tested covariant energy density functionals (CEDFs), namely, DD-PC1, DD-ME2, NL3*, and PC-PK1, representing the major classes of the CDFT models are employed in the present paper. Ground-state deformations, binding energies, two-neutron separation energies, \ensuremathα-decay Q_\ensuremathα values and half-lives, and the heights of fission barriers have been calculated for all these nuclei. Theoretical uncertainties in these physical observables and their evolution as a function of proton and neutron numbers have been quantified and their major sources have been identified. Spherical shell closures at Z=120, N=184, and N=258 and the structure of the single-particle (especially, high-j) states in their vicinities as well as nuclear matter properties of employed CEDFs are two major factors contributing to theoretical uncertainties. However, different physical observables are affected in a different way by these two factors. For example, theoretical uncertainties in calculated ground-state deformations are affected mostly by the former factor, while theoretical uncertainties in fission barriers depend on both of these factors.

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