Non-Newtonian gravity in finite nuclei

TL;DR

This study constrains non-Newtonian gravity at femtometer scales by integrating a Yukawa potential into nuclear models and analyzing its effects on finite nuclei properties.

Contribution

It introduces a consistent method to incorporate non-Newtonian gravity into nuclear density functionals and sets upper limits on its strength at femtometer scales.

Findings

Established upper limits for non-Newtonian gravitational strength at femtometer scale.

Demonstrated the impact of non-Newtonian gravity on nuclear binding energies and radii.

Provided a framework for future experimental constraints on short-range gravity.

Abstract

In this talk, we report our recent study of constraining the non-Newtonian gravity at femtometer scale. We incorporate the Yukawa-type non-Newtonian gravitational potential consistently to the Skyrme functional form using the exact treatment for the direct contribution and density-matrix expansion method for the exchange contribution. The effects from the non-Newtonian potential on finite nuclei properties are then studied together with a well-tested Skyrme force. Assuming that the framework without non-Newtonian gravity can explain the binding energies and charge radii of medium to heavy nuclei within 2% error, we set an upper limit for the strength of the non-Newtonian gravitational potential at femtometer scale.