Tensor-force effects on shell-structure evolution in $N = 82$ isotones and $Z = 50$ isotopes in the relativistic Hartree-Fock theory

TL;DR

This paper investigates how tensor forces influence shell-structure evolution in certain isotones and isotopes using relativistic Hartree-Fock theory, highlighting the importance of tensor contributions and coupling strength adjustments for accurate modeling.

Contribution

It demonstrates the crucial role of tensor forces induced by Fock terms in shell evolution and suggests optimal adjustments of pion-nucleon coupling for better theoretical descriptions.

Findings

Tensor forces significantly affect shell-structure evolution.

Moderate increase of pion-nucleon coupling improves model accuracy.

Reducing density dependence of $f_{}$ is preferable for better results.

Abstract

The evolution of the energy difference between the neutron states $1i_{13/2}$ and $1h_{9/2}$ in the $N=82$ isotones and that between the proton states $1h_{11/2}$ and $1g_{7/2}$ in the $Z = 50$ isotopes are investigated within the framework of the relativistic Hartree-Fock theory, using the density-dependent effective interactions PKA1 and PKO$i$ ($i = 1 $, $ 2 $, $ 3 $). By identifying the contributions of the tensor force, which is naturally induced via the Fock terms, we find that the tensor force plays crucial roles in the evolution of the shell structure. The strength of the tensor force is also explored. It is found that moderately increasing the coupling strength of pion-nucleon coupling, i.e., $f_{\pi}$, will significantly improve the description of the shell-structure evolution. In particular, reducing the density dependence of $f_{\pi}$ is shown to be more preferable, in comparison to enlarging $f_{\pi}$ with a factor. This is in consistence with the idea of "tensor renormalization persistency" and provides valuable guidance for the development of nuclear energy density functional in the relativistic framework.