Superheavy nuclei with the vector self-coupling of the $\omega$-meson in the relativistic mean-field theory

TL;DR

This study uses relativistic mean-field theory with vector self-coupling of the omega-meson to analyze superheavy nuclei, revealing shape coexistence phenomena and identifying potential doubly magic numbers at Z=120 and N=172.

Contribution

It introduces the NL-SV1 Lagrangian model with vector self-coupling in RMF theory to explore superheavy elements and their shell structures, including shape coexistence and magic numbers.

Findings

N=184 confirmed as a major magic number.

Shape coexistence observed in many superheavy nuclei.

Potential doubly magic nucleus at Z=120 and N=172.

Abstract

We have studied properties and shell structure of the superheavy elements from Z=102 to Z=120 within the framework of the RMF theory. The region of study spans nuclides with neutron numbers N=150-190. The Lagrangian model NL-SV1 with the inclusion of the vector self-coupling of the omega-meson has been employed in this work. We have performed RMF + BCS calculations for an axially deformed configuration of nuclei. The ground-state binding energies, single-particle properties and quadrupole deformation of nuclei have been obtained from the mean-field minimizations. Two-neutron separation energies, $Q_\alpha$ values and alpha-decay half-life have been evaluated. It is shown that a large number of nuclides exhibit the phenomenon of shape-coexistence over a significant region of the superheavy elements. Shape coexistence of a prolate and an oblate shape is prevalent in nuclides far below N=184, whilst nuclei in the vicinity of N=184 tend to show a shape coexistence between a spherical and an oblate shape. The shell structure and 2-neutron separation energies obtained with the RMF theory reinforce the neutron number N=184 as a major magic number. It is shown that the neutron number N=172 acts akin to a magic number in the deformed region. It is suggested that the combination Z=120 and N=172 has the potential of being a doubly magic number in the superheavy region.