Shape coexistence and neutron skin thickness of Pb isotopes by the deformed relativistic Hartree-Bogoliubov theory in continuum

TL;DR

This paper uses the deformed relativistic Hartree-Bogoliubov theory in continuum to study shape coexistence, neutron skin thickness, and drip-line properties of Pb isotopes, providing new insights into nuclear structure and stability.

Contribution

It introduces a comprehensive analysis of Pb isotopes' shape coexistence and neutron skin thickness using the DRHBc model, including predictions of neutron emitters near the drip-line.

Findings

Identification of shape coexistence candidates in Pb isotopes.

Prediction of eleven neutron-emitting Pb isotopes near the drip-line.

Good agreement of neutron skin thickness with experimental data.

Abstract

We investigate ground states properties of Pb isotopes located between neutron and proton drip-lines estimated by two-neutron (two-proton) separation energies and Fermi energies within the deformed relativistic Hartree-Bogoliubov theory in continuum (DRHBc). First, we report some candidates of nuclear shape coexistence in the isotope chain. They are accessed by calculating total energy as a function of the deformation parameter $\beta_2$, and for the coexistence candidates we take a couple of the deformation region bringing about minima of the energy within energy difference $\Delta E < $ 1 MeV. Second, the Pb isotopes near neutron drip-lines are also investigated and compared to the results by other nuclear mass models. We find out eleven neutron emitters, $^{278 - 296, 300}$Pb, giving rise to the Pb peninsular near the neutron drip-line. Finally, by exploiting the neutron and proton density we deduce the neutron skin thickness (NST) of the Pb isotopes and compare to the available experimental data. The recent data regarding the shape coexistence of $^{184,186,188}$Pb and the NST of $^{208}$Pb are shown to be well matched with the present results.