Giant monopole energies from a constrained relativistic mean-field approach

TL;DR

This paper extends a non-relativistic constrained approach to the relativistic domain to accurately compute nuclear collective mode energies, improving the calibration of energy density functionals with high precision.

Contribution

It introduces a relativistic constrained approach that matches relativistic RPA results within 2%, enhancing nuclear model calibration methods.

Findings

Excellent agreement (within 2%) between constrained approach and RPA for various nuclei.

The method provides an efficient way to incorporate collective excitations into functional calibration.

Applicable to magic and semi-magic nuclei from 16O to 208Pb.

Abstract

Background: Average energies of nuclear collective modes may be efficiently and accurately computed using a non-relativistic constrained approach without reliance on a random phase approximation (RPA). Purpose: To extend the constrained approach to the relativistic domain and to establish its impact on the calibration of energy density functionals. Methods: Relativistic RPA calculations are compared against the predictions of the corresponding constrained approach using two accurately calibrated energy density functionals. Results: We find excellent agreement-at the 2% level or better-between the predictions of the relativistic RPA and the corresponding constrained approach for magic (or semi-magic) nuclei ranging from 16O to 208Pb. Conclusions: An efficient and accurate method is proposed for incorporating nuclear collective excitations into the calibration of future energy density functionals.