E(5) and X(5) shape phase transitions within a Skyrme Hartree-Fock + BCS approach

TL;DR

This paper investigates shape phase transitions in various isotopes using Skyrme Hartree-Fock + BCS calculations, focusing on signatures of E(5) and X(5) critical point symmetries and the impact of pairing correlations.

Contribution

It introduces a self-consistent method to analyze shape transitions and highlights the role of pairing correlations in energy barrier determination.

Findings

Energy barriers are significantly influenced by pairing treatment.

Potential energy curves reveal signatures of E(5) and X(5) symmetries.

Shape evolution correlates with nucleon number in studied isotopes.

Abstract

Self-consistent Skyrme Hartree-Fock plus BCS calculations are performed to generate potential energy curves (PEC) in various chains of Pd, Xe, Ba, Nd, Sm, Gd, and Dy isotopes. The evolution of shapes with the number of nucleons is studied in a search for signatures of E(5) and X(5) critical point symmetries. It is shown that the energy barriers in the PECs are determined to a large extent by the treatment of the pairing correlations.