Impact of intrinsic electromagnetic structure on the nuclear charge radius in relativistic density functional theory

TL;DR

This paper investigates how the intrinsic electromagnetic structure of nucleons influences nuclear charge radii within relativistic density functional theory, leading to improved modeling of isotope evolution.

Contribution

It introduces the inclusion of intrinsic electromagnetic structure corrections into relativistic density functional theory for better charge radius predictions.

Findings

Intrinsic EM structure corrections improve charge radius descriptions.

Enhanced modeling of Pb, Sn, and Cd isotope charge radii.

Neutron and spin-orbit terms are key contributors.

Abstract

In this study, the effects of the nucleon's intrinsic electromagnetic (EM) structure on the nuclear charge radius have been explored within the framework of the relativistic Hartree-Bogoliubov theory. It is found that the intrinsic EM structure corrections could make an effect for accurately describing the evolution of nuclear charge radius. After taking into account the intrinsic EM structure corrections, the descriptions of the evolution of charge radii for Pb, Sn, and Cd isotopes have been improved within relativistic density functional theory. Using the Pb isotopic chain as an example, the improvement in charge radii can be primarily attributed to the intrinsic neutron and neutron spin-orbit terms of the intrinsic EM structure. Additionally, nuclear charge densities and corresponding isotopic evolution in Pb isotopes have been discussed.