Electron and Nucleon Localization Functions of Oganesson: Approaching the Thomas-Fermi Limit

TL;DR

This paper investigates the electronic and nucleonic shell structures of the superheavy element oganesson, revealing its approach to uniform-gas-like behavior and the transition to Thomas-Fermi gas characteristics in the valence region.

Contribution

It provides the first detailed analysis of localization functions in oganesson, highlighting the effects of strong spin-orbit splitting and high orbital density on its shell structure.

Findings

Spin-orbit splitting in Og's 7p shell is about 10 eV.

Oganesson's valence electrons exhibit uniform-gas-like behavior.

Nucleon localization indicates a transition to Thomas-Fermi gas behavior, especially for neutrons.

Abstract

Fermion localization functions are used to discuss electronic and nucleonic shell structure effects in the superheavy element oganesson, the heaviest element discovered to date. Spin-orbit splitting in the $7p$ electronic shell becomes so large ($\sim$ 10 eV) that Og is expected to show uniform-gas-like behavior in the valence region with a rather large dipole polarizability compared to the lighter rare gas elements. The nucleon localization in Og is also predicted to undergo a transition to the Thomas-Fermi gas behavior in the valence region. This effect, particularly strong for neutrons, is due to the high density of single-particle orbitals.