Error Analysis in Nuclear Density Functional Theory

TL;DR

This paper discusses the sources of errors in nuclear density functional theory (DFT), emphasizing the importance of understanding uncertainties for improving the theory's predictive capabilities in nuclear physics applications.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive analysis of the various sources of uncertainties and errors in nuclear DFT and explores methods to quantify these uncertainties rigorously.

Findings

Identification of key sources of errors in nuclear DFT

Discussion of methods for uncertainty quantification

Insights into improving predictive accuracy of nuclear models

Abstract

Nuclear density functional theory (DFT) is the only microscopic, global approach to the structure of atomic nuclei. It is used in numerous applications, from determining the limits of stability to gaining a deep understanding of the formation of elements in the universe or the mechanisms that power stars and reactors. The predictive power of the theory depends on the amount of physics embedded in the energy density functional as well as on efficient ways to determine a small number of free parameters and solve the DFT equations. In this article, we discuss the various sources of uncertainties and errors encountered in DFT and possible methods to quantify these uncertainties in a rigorous manner.