Towards symmetry-unrestricted Skyrme-HFB in coordinate-space representation: the example of rotational bands of the octupole-deformed nucleus $^{222}$Th

TL;DR

This paper presents cranked Skyrme-HFB calculations revealing a shape transition in the rotational bands of the octupole-deformed nucleus $^{222}$Th, highlighting a sudden configuration change from large to small octupole deformation with increasing spin.

Contribution

It introduces a symmetry-unrestricted Skyrme-HFB approach in coordinate-space for studying rotational bands in octupole-deformed nuclei.

Findings

Observation of a sudden shape transition at high spin

Identification of a configuration change from large to small octupole deformation

Demonstration of the method's effectiveness in describing complex nuclear shapes

Abstract

We report on cranked Skyrme-HFB calculations of rotational bands of the octupole-deformed nucleus $^{222}$Th. A sudden change in configuration is observed, with the shape of the yrast state jumping from large octupole deformation at low spin to small octupole deformation at high spin.