Time-odd mean fields in covariant density functional theory I. Non-rotating systems

TL;DR

This paper investigates the role of time-odd mean fields in covariant density functional theory, showing they enhance binding energies, influence odd-even mass differences, and significantly impact properties of proton-rich nuclei.

Contribution

It provides a detailed analysis of time-odd mean fields in CDFT, highlighting their consistent effect on binding energies and their profound influence on proton-drip line nuclei.

Findings

Time-odd mean fields increase binding energies of odd-mass nuclei.

They affect odd-even mass differences.

They can alter proton-emitter half-lives by orders of magnitude.

Abstract

Time-odd mean fields (nuclear magnetism) are analyzed in the framework of covariant density functional theory (CDFT). It is shown that they always provide additional binding to the binding energies of odd-mass nuclei. This additional binding only weakly depends on the RMF parametrization reflecting good localization of the properties of time-odd mean fields in CDFT. The underlying microscopic mechanism is discussed in detail. Time-odd mean fields affect odd-even mass differences. However, our analysis suggests that the modifications of the strength of pairing correlations required to compensate for their effects are modest. In contrast, time-odd mean fields have profound effect on the properties of odd-proton nuclei in the vicinity of proton-drip line. Their presence can modify the half-lives of proton-emitters (by many orders of magnitude in light nuclei) and affect considerably the possibilities of their experimental observation.