Global performance of multireference density functional theory for low-lying states in $sd$-shell nuclei

TL;DR

This paper evaluates the effectiveness of multireference density functional theory (MR-DFT) with relativistic EDFs in accurately predicting low-lying nuclear states across several isotopes, highlighting the need for EDFs parameterized at the BMF level.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive assessment of MR-DFT's performance for low-lying states in sd-shell nuclei, emphasizing the importance of BMF-level parameterization for quantitative accuracy.

Findings

MR-DFT with relativistic EDFs improves state predictions.

BMF-level parameterization is necessary for accuracy.

Comparison with nonrelativistic EDFs shows better performance.

Abstract

We present a comprehensive study of low-lying states in even-even Ne, Mg, Si, S, Ar isotopes with the multireference density functional theory (MR-DFT) based on a relativistic point-coupling energy density functional (EDF). Beyond mean-field (BMF) effects are taken into account by configuration mixing of both particle-number and angular-momentum projected axially deformed states with generator coordinate method (GCM). Global performance of the MR-DFT for the properties of both ground state and of the first $2^+, 4^+$ states is examined, in comparison with previous studies based on nonrelativistic EDFs and available data. Our results indicate that an EDF parameterized at the BMF level is demanded to achieve a quantitative description.