Tensor part of the Skyrme energy density functional. II: Deformation properties of magic and semi-magic nuclei

TL;DR

This paper systematically investigates how the tensor components of the Skyrme energy density functional influence the deformation properties of magic and semi-magic nuclei, providing insights for developing improved nuclear models.

Contribution

It compares different Skyrme parameterizations with varied tensor term adjustments to understand their effects on nuclear deformation, aiding future functional development.

Findings

Tensor terms significantly affect deformation properties.

Perturbative and fully readjusted tensor parameterizations show different impacts.

Study helps identify unrealistic parameterizations based on deformation behavior.

Abstract

We study systematically the impact of the time-even tensor terms of the Skyrme energy density functional, i.e. terms bilinear in the spin-current tensor density, on deformation properties of closed shell nuclei corresponding to 20, 28, 40, 50, 82, and 126 neutron or proton shell closures. We compare results obtained with three different families of Skyrme parameterizations whose tensor terms have been adjusted on properties of spherical nuclei: (i) TIJ interactions proposed in the first paper of this series [T. Lesinski et al., Phys. Rev. C 76, 014312 (2007)] which were constructed through a complete readjustment of the rest of the functional (ii) parameterizations whose tensor terms have been added perturbatively to existing Skyrme interactions, with or without readjusting the spin-orbit coupling constant. We analyse in detail the mechanisms at play behind the impact of tensor terms on deformation properties and how studying the latter can help screen out unrealistic parameterizations. It is expected that findings of the present paper are to a large extent independent of remaining deficiencies of the central and spin-orbit interactions, and will be of great value for the construction of future, improved energy functionals.