KIDS density functional for deformed nuclei: Examples of the even-even Nd isotopes

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that the KIDS density functional accurately describes ground-state properties of Nd isotopes, including deformation and radii, and shows potential for global nuclear modeling across the chart.

Contribution

It introduces the application of the KIDS functional to deformed nuclei, specifically Nd isotopes, and assesses its effectiveness in describing nuclear properties.

Findings

Deformation improves binding energy and radius predictions.

Discrepancies increase for neutron-rich/deficient isotopes.

Adjusting the symmetry energy slope parameter reduces isotope dependence.

Abstract

Background: A global description of the ground-state properties of nuclei in a wide mass range in a unified manner is desirable not only for understanding exotic nuclei but for providing nuclear data for applications. Purpose: We demonstrate the KIDS functional describes the ground states appropriately with respect to the existing data and predictions for a possible application of the functional to all the nuclei by taking Nd isotopes as examples. Method: The Kohn-Sham-Bogoliubov equation is solved for the Nd isotopes with the neutron numbers ranging from 60 to 160 by employing the KIDS functionals constructed to satisfy both neutron-matter equation of state or neutron star observation and selected nuclear data. Results: Considering the nuclear deformation improves the description of the binding energies and radii. We find that the discrepancy from the experimental data is more significant for neutron-rich/deficient isotopes and this can be made isotope independent by changing the slope parameter of the symmetry energy. Conclusions: The KIDS functional is applied to the mid-shell nuclei for the first time. The onset and evolution of deformation are nicely described for the Nd isotopes. The KIDS functional is competent to a global fitting for a better description of nuclear properties in the nuclear chart.