Coexistence of nuclear shapes: self-consistent mean-field and beyond

TL;DR

This paper reviews recent theoretical advances in modeling complex nuclear shapes and shape coexistence using beyond mean-field methods based on nuclear density functionals, with applications to various isotopes and shape transitions.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive analysis of nuclear shape evolution and coexistence through advanced beyond mean-field models, highlighting recent progress and applications.

Findings

Improved understanding of shape coexistence in N=28 isotones

Insights into 0+ excitations in deformed rare-earth nuclei

Analysis of quadrupole and octupole shape transitions in thorium

Abstract

A quantitative analysis of the evolution of nuclear shapes and shape phase transitions, including regions of short-lived nuclei that are becoming accessible in experiments at radioactive-beam facilities, necessitate accurate modeling of the underlying nucleonic dynamics. Important theoretical advances have recently been made in studies of complex shapes and the corresponding excitation spectra and electromagnetic decay patterns, especially in the "beyond mean-field" framework based on nuclear density functionals. Interesting applications include studies of shape evolution and coexistence in N = 28 isotones, the structure of lowest $0^+$ excitations in deformed N $\approx$ 90 rare-earth nuclei, and quadrupole and octupole shape transitions in thorium isotopes.