Uncertainty propagation within the UNEDF models

TL;DR

This paper quantifies how uncertainties in nuclear energy density parameters affect predictions of nuclear properties across different nuclei, highlighting increased uncertainties in proton or neutron-rich regions.

Contribution

It provides a systematic analysis of statistical uncertainties in UNEDF Skyrme functionals and their impact on nuclear observable predictions.

Findings

Uncertainty increases rapidly in proton or neutron-rich nuclei.

Parameter uncertainties significantly influence the total error budget.

Quantitative estimates of uncertainties for binding energies and radii.

Abstract

The parameters of the nuclear energy density have to be adjusted to experimental data. As a result they carry certain uncertainty which then propagates to calculated values of observables. In the present work we quantify the statistical uncertainties of binding energies, proton quadrupole moments, and proton matter radius for three UNEDF Skyrme energy density functionals by taking advantage of the knowledge of the model parameter uncertainties. We find that the uncertainty of UNEDF models increases rapidly when going towards proton or neutron rich nuclei. We also investigate the impact of each model parameter on the total error budget.