Configuration interaction in symmetry-conserving covariant density functional theory

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new configuration interaction method based on symmetry-conserving covariant density functional theory to accurately predict spectroscopic properties of deformed nuclei, demonstrated on Cr-54.

Contribution

It presents a novel CI approach on top of projected density functional theory within covariant density functional framework, avoiding the need for new parameters.

Findings

Successfully reproduces excitation energies of Cr-54's yrast band.

Requires fewer configurations than traditional shell-model calculations.

No additional parameters needed due to use of universal density functional.

Abstract

A new method to calculate spectroscopic properties of deformed nuclei is proposed: configuration interaction on top of projected density functional theory (CI-PDFT). The general concept of this approach is discussed in the framework of covariant density functional theory and its validity is illustrated in an application to the yrast band of the nucleus Cr-54. It is found that the experimentally observed excitation energies for the yrast band in Cr-54 can be well reproduced. In contrast to conventional shell-model calculations, there is no core and only a relatively small number of configurations is sufficient for a satisfying description. No new parameters are necessary, because the effective interaction is derived from an universal density functional given in the literature.