Variation after full projection with triaxially deformed nuclear mean field

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel variation after projection (VAP) method incorporating all quantum numbers (except parity) for triaxially deformed nuclear mean fields, improving the accuracy of nuclear structure calculations.

Contribution

First implementation of a comprehensive VAP algorithm with full quantum number projection for triaxial nuclei, achieving near-exact shell model energies.

Findings

VAP energies are within 500 keV of shell model results.

Spin projection is essential for accurate approximations.

VAP wavefunctions exhibit always triaxial intrinsic shapes.

Abstract

We implemented a variation after projection (VAP) algorithm based on a triaxially deformed Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov vacuum state. This is the first projected mean field study that includes all the quantum numbers (except parity), i.e., spin ($J$), isospin ($T$) and mass number ($A$). Systematic VAP calculations with $JTA$-projection have been performed for the even-even $sd$-shell nuclei with the USDB Hamiltonian. All the VAP ground state energies are within 500 keV above the exact shell model values. Our VAP calculations show that the spin projection has two important effects: (1) the spin projection is crucial in achieving good approximation of the full shell model calculation. (2) the intrinsic shapes of the VAP wavefunctions with spin projection are always triaxial, while the Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov methods likely provide axial intrinsic shapes. Finally, our analysis suggests that one may not be possible to associate an intrinsic shape to an exact shell model wave function.