Effects of high order deformation on superheavy high-$K$ isomers

TL;DR

This study demonstrates that incorporating high-order $eta_6$ deformation into potential-energy-surface calculations significantly improves the understanding of high-$K$ isomers in superheavy nucleus $^{254}$No, revealing their increased stability and shell gaps.

Contribution

First application of configuration-constrained potential-energy-surface calculations with $eta_6$ deformation to superheavy high-$K$ isomers, showing its impact on their stability and shell structure.

Findings

High-$K$ isomers are more tightly bound with $eta_6$ deformation.

Enhanced deformed shell gaps at $N=152$ and $Z=100$ due to $eta_6$.

Improved description of superheavy high-$K$ isomers with $eta_6$ inclusion.

Abstract

Using, for the first time, configuration-constrained potential-energy-surface calculations with the inclusion of $\beta_6$ deformation, we find remarkable effects of the high order deformation on the high-$K$ isomers in $^{254}$No, the focus of recent spectroscopy experiments on superheavy nuclei. For shapes with multipolarity six, the isomers are more tightly bound and, microscopically, have enhanced deformed shell gaps at $N=152$ and $Z=100$. The inclusion of $\beta_6$ deformation significantly improves the description of the very heavy high-$K$ isomers.