Systematic study of shell gaps in nuclei

TL;DR

This study systematically analyzes nuclear shell gaps across the entire nuclear chart using eight global mass models, identifying the most accurate model and exploring potential magic numbers in super-heavy nuclei.

Contribution

It introduces the WS4 mass model with improved isospin dependence, providing more accurate predictions of nuclear masses and shell gaps, especially in unmeasured regions.

Findings

WS4 model is most accurate for nuclear masses and shell gaps

Uncertainty remains large in neutron-rich and super-heavy regions

Possible new magic numbers at N=178, Z=120 in super-heavy nuclei

Abstract

The nucleon separation energies and shell gaps in nuclei over the whole nuclear chart are systematically studied with eight global nuclear mass models. For unmeasured neutron-rich and super-heavy regions, the uncertainty of the predictions from these different mass models is still large. The latest version (WS4) of the Weizs\"acker-Skyrme mass formula, in which the isospin dependence of model parameters is introduced into the macroscopic-microscopic approach inspired by the Skyrme energy-density functional, is found to be the most accurate one in the descriptions of nuclear masses, separation energies and shell gaps. Based on the predicted shell gaps in nuclei, the possible magic numbers in super-heavy nuclei region are investigated. In addition to the shell closures at $N=184, Z=114$, the sub-shell closures at around $N=178, Z=120$ could also play a role for the stability of super-heavy nuclei.