Nuclear shape evolution and shape coexistence in Zr and Mo isotopes

TL;DR

This study uses covariant density functional theory to analyze shape evolution and coexistence in Zr and Mo isotopes, revealing shape transitions, coexistence phenomena, and a predicted bubble structure in Zr-100.

Contribution

It provides a detailed theoretical analysis of shape phenomena in Zr and Mo isotopes using advanced density functional methods, including predictions of new structural features.

Findings

Oblate-prolate shape coexistence in Zr isotopes.

Correlation between shape transition and observable discontinuities.

Prediction of a deformed bubble structure in Zr-100.

Abstract

The phenomena of shape evolution and shape coexistence in even-even $^{88-126}$Zr and $^{88-126}$Mo isotopes is studied by employing covariant density functional theory (CDFT) with density-dependent point coupling parameter sets DD-PCX and DD-PC1, and with separable pairing interaction. The results for rms deviation in binding energies, two-neutron separation energy, the differential variation of two-neutron separation energy, and rms charge radii, as a function of neutron number, are presented and compared with available experimental data. In addition to the oblate-prolate shape coexistence in $^{96-110}$Zr isotopes, the correlation between shape transition and discontinuity in the observables are also examined. A smooth trend of charge radii in Mo isotopes is found to be due to the manifestation of triaxiality softness. The observed oblate and prolate minima are related to the low single-particle energy level density around the Fermi level of neutron and proton respectively. The present calculations also predict a deformed bubble structure in $^{100}$Zr isotope.