Description of the multidimensional potential energy surface in fission of $^{252}$Cf and $^{258}$No

TL;DR

This paper analyzes the complex multidimensional potential energy surfaces in nuclear fission of $^{252}$Cf and $^{258}$No, highlighting the limitations of 2D models and proposing solutions for better characterization.

Contribution

It provides a detailed analysis of fission barriers using self-consistent Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov calculations, revealing complex structures and issues in modeling multidimensional energy surfaces.

Findings

Identification of complex structures on energy surfaces

Problems with multiple solutions and surface transitions

Proposed methods to address modeling challenges

Abstract

The microscopic studies on nuclear fission require the evaluation of the potential energy surface as a function of the collective coordinates. A reasonable choice of constraints on multipole moments should be made to describe the topography of the surface completely within a reasonable amount of computing time. We present a detailed analysis of fission barriers in the self-consistent Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov approach with the D1S parametrization of the Gogny nucleon-nucleon interaction. Two heavy isotopes representing different spontaneous fission modes - $^{252}$Cf (asymmetric) and $^{258}$No (bimodal) - have been chosen for the analysis. We have shown the existence of complicated structures on the energy surface that can not be fully described in two-dimensional calculations. We analyze apparent problems that can be encountered in this type of calculations: multiple solutions for given constraints and transitions between various potential energy surfaces. We present possible solutions on how to deal with these issues.