Nuclear fission in covariant density functional theory

TL;DR

This paper reviews how covariant density functional theory models nuclear fission, especially in superheavy nuclei, highlighting the effects of triaxiality and octupole deformation on fission barriers.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive review of the application of covariant density functional theory to nuclear fission, emphasizing superheavy nuclei and the influence of shape deformations.

Findings

Superheavy nuclei exhibit multiple competing fission paths due to triaxial softness.

Outer fission barriers are significantly affected by triaxiality and octupole deformation.

The theory explains the complex shape dynamics influencing fission processes.

Abstract

The current status of the application of covariant density functional theory to microscopic description of nuclear fission with main emphasis on superheavy nuclei (SHN) is reviewed. The softness of SHN in the triaxial plane leads to an emergence of several competing fission pathes in the region of the inner fission barrier in some of these nuclei. The outer fission barriers of SHN are considerably affected both by triaxiality and octupole deformation.