Nuclear spectra from low-energy interactions

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new method to derive nuclear spectra from density functionals by constructing an effective Hamiltonian, enabling better predictions of low-energy nuclear properties.

Contribution

The paper presents a novel approach to connect density functionals with effective Hamiltonians for improved nuclear spectra modeling.

Findings

Successfully describes low-lying levels in chromium isotopes

Accurately predicts electromagnetic transition rates

Provides a practical mapping from density functionals to Hamiltonians

Abstract

A method to describe spectra starting from nuclear density functionals is explored. The idea is based on postulating an effective Hamiltonian that reproduces the stiffness associated with collective modes. The method defines a simple form of such an effective Hamiltonian and a mapping to go from a density functional to the corresponding Hamiltonian. In order to test the method, the Hamiltonian is constrained using a Skyrme functional and solved with the generator-coordinate method to describe low-lying levels and electromagnetic transitions in $^{48,49,50,52}$Cr and $^{24}$Mg.