Quantum fluctuations in the shape of exotic nuclei

TL;DR

This paper investigates quantum shape fluctuations in exotic nuclei using covariant density functional theory, highlighting the importance of shape mixing and symmetry restoration for accurate spectroscopic descriptions.

Contribution

It introduces a comprehensive approach combining configuration mixing and angular momentum projection to study shape fluctuations in exotic nuclei.

Findings

16C has a triaxial ground state with large shape fluctuations

Shape fluctuations are crucial for accurate spectroscopic properties

The method improves understanding of quantum effects in nuclear shapes

Abstract

Quantum fluctuations concerning the shape of nuclei are treated within the framework of covariant density functional theory. Long range correlations beyond mean field are taken into account by configuration mixing of wave functions with triaxial shapes and the restoration of spontaneously broken rotational symmetries through three-dimensional angular momentum projection. The "controversial" nucleus 16C is treated as an example and it is found that its ground state has a triaxial shape but with large shape fluctuations. They are of crucial importance for a proper description of the spectroscopic properties of such nuclei.