Nuclear mass table in deformed relativistic Hartree-Bogoliubov theory in continuum: I. even-even nuclei

TL;DR

This paper uses the deformed relativistic Hartree-Bogoliubov theory in continuum to predict properties of over 2500 even-even nuclei, achieving high accuracy in mass predictions and exploring the nuclear landscape's limits.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive microscopic prediction of nuclear properties across a wide range of nuclei, incorporating deformation and continuum effects simultaneously for the first time.

Findings

Predicted 2583 bound even-even nuclei from drip lines.

Achieved a 1.518 MeV rms deviation in mass predictions.

Identified possible bound nuclei beyond the two-neutron drip line.

Abstract

Ground-state properties of even-even nuclei with $8\le Z\le120$ from the proton drip line to the neutron drip line have been investigated using the deformed relativistic Hartree-Bogoliubov theory in continuum (DRHBc) with the density functional PC-PK1. With the effects of deformation and continuum included simultaneously, 2583 even-even nuclei are predicted to be bound. The calculated binding energies, two-nucleon separation energies, root-mean-square (rms) radii of neutron, proton, matter, and charge distributions, quadrupole deformations, and neutron and proton Fermi surfaces are tabulated and compared with available experimental data. The rms deviation from the 637 mass data is 1.518 MeV, providing one of the best microscopic descriptions for nuclear masses. The drip lines obtained from DRHBc calculations are compared with other calculations, including the spherical relativistic continuum Hartree-Bogoliubov (RCHB) and triaxial relativistic Hartree-Bogoliubov (TRHB) calculations with PC-PK1. The deformation and continuum effects on the limits of the nuclear landscape are discussed. Possible peninsulas consisting of bound nuclei beyond the two-neutron drip line are predicted. The systematics of the two-nucleon separation energies, two-nucleon gaps, rms radii, quadrupole deformations, potential energy curves, neutron densities, neutron mean-field potentials, and pairing energies in the DRHBc calculations are also discussed. In addition, the $\alpha$ decay energies extracted are in good agreement with available data.