Incompressibility of finite fermionic systems: stable and exotic atomic nuclei

TL;DR

This paper explores the universal nature of incompressibility in finite fermionic systems, especially atomic nuclei, linking it to zero-point kinetic energy and analyzing its variation across isotopic chains using microscopic models.

Contribution

It demonstrates the universal link between incompressibility and zero-point kinetic energy and analyzes its evolution in nuclei with neutron excess using advanced microscopic models.

Findings

Incompressibility is nearly constant in medium-heavy and heavy stable nuclei.

Nuclear incompressibility decreases sharply in neutron-rich nuclei.

Emergence of a soft monopole mode causes the decrease in neutron-rich systems.

Abstract

The incompressibility of finite fermionic systems is investigated using analytical approaches and microscopic models. The incompressibility of a system is directly linked to the zero-point kinetic energy of constituent fermions, and this is a universal feature of fermionic systems. In the case of atomic nuclei, this implies a constant value of the incompressibility in medium-heavy and heavy nuclei. The evolution of nuclear incompressibility along Sn and Pb isotopic chains is analyzed using global microscopic models, based on both non-relativistic and relativistic energy functionals. The result is an almost constant incompressibility in stable nuclei and systems not far from stability, and a steep decrease in nuclei with pronounced neutron excess, caused by the emergence of a soft monopole mode in neutron-rich nuclei.