Effects of neutron-rich nuclei masses on symmetry energy

TL;DR

This study examines how neutron-rich nuclei masses influence symmetry energy properties using the DRHBc model, revealing lower symmetry energy parameters than previous data and better alignment with experimental constraints.

Contribution

It introduces a novel analysis of symmetry energy parameters derived from the DRHBc mass table, comparing them with traditional data and exploring their impact on nuclear matter properties.

Findings

Lower symmetry energy at saturation density compared to AME2020.

Type II symmetry energy parameters align better with experimental constraints.

Implications for neutron skin thickness and nuclear structure.

Abstract

We explore the impact of neutron-rich nuclei masses on the symmetry energy properties using the mass table evaluated by the deformed relativistic Hartree-Bogoliubov theory in continuum (DRHBc) model. First, using the semi-empirical mass formula with the DRHBc mass table, we investigate the symmetry energy at saturation density $\rho_0$, denoted as $S_0$, and the ratio of surface to volume contributions to the symmetry energy, $\kappa$. As a result, we obtain $S_0=27.85\,{\rm MeV}$ ($\kappa=1.38$) for $a_{\rm sym}(A) =S_0 (1 - \kappa A^{-1/3})$ (Type I) and $S_0=32.66\,{\rm MeV}$ ($\kappa=3.15$) for $a_{\rm sym}(A) = S_0 (1 + \kappa A^{-1/3} )^{-1}$ (Type II), which are lower than those obtained using the AME2020 mass table, $S_0=28.54\,{\rm MeV}$ ($\kappa=1.29$) for Type I and $S_0=33.81\,{\rm MeV}$ ($\kappa=3.04$) for Type II. Second, we further investigate the effect of these changes in $a_{\rm sym}(A)$ on the density-dependent symmetry energy by employing the empirical model of $S(\rho) = C_k(\rho/\rho_0)^{2/3} + C_1(\rho/\rho_0) + C_2(\rho/\rho_0)^{\gamma}$ and universal relation of $a_{\rm sym}(A=208) = S(\rho=0.1\,{\rm fm}^{-3})$. Compared to the experimental constraints, we find that $S_0$ and slope parameter $L$, determined by the DRHBc mass table with Type II, are more suitable to explain the constraints by heavy ion collisions and isobaric analog states than AME2020. We also discuss the neutron skin thickness derived from the $L$, comparing it with experimental measurements.