Self-consistent Skyrme QRPA for use in axially-symmetric nuclei of arbitrary mass

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new self-consistent Skyrme QRPA implementation for axially-symmetric deformed nuclei, enabling accurate calculations of nuclear excitations across a range of masses, including heavy deformed nuclei like ^{172}Yb.

Contribution

It presents the first fully self-consistent Skyrme QRPA application to a heavy deformed nucleus, expanding the method's applicability to complex nuclear shapes.

Findings

Accurate strength distributions for ^{172}Yb

Reproduction of low-lying 2^+ state properties

Complete isovector E1 strength function calculated

Abstract

We describe a new implementation of the quasiparticle random phase approximation (QRPA) in axially-symmetric deformed nuclei with Skyrme and volume-pairing energy-density functionals. After using a variety of tests to demonstrate the accuracy of the code in ^{24,26}Mg and ^{16}O, we report the first fully self-consistent application of the Skyrme QRPA to a heavy deformed nucleus, calculating strength distributions for several K^pi in ^{172}Yb. We present energy-weighted sums, properties of gamma-vibrational and low-energy K^pi=0^+ states, and the complete isovector E1 strength function. The QRPA calculation reproduces the properties of the low-lying 2^+ states as well or better than it typically does in spherical nuclei.