Discrete non-orthogonal shell model for nuclear structure: Towards heavy elements

TL;DR

This paper introduces the Discrete Non-Orthogonal Shell Model (DNO-SM), a novel approach for nuclear structure calculations that effectively captures correlations in both light and superheavy nuclei, advancing understanding of nuclear behavior far from stability.

Contribution

The paper develops and applies the DNO-SM using non-orthogonal Slater determinants and variation after projection, enabling accurate solutions for complex nuclei including superheavy elements.

Findings

Accurate shell-model solutions for sd and pf nuclei.

Reproduction of band structures and isomers in 254 No.

Insights into correlation effects in proton-rich nuclei.

Abstract

We present recent developments of the Discrete Non-Orthogonal Shell Model (DNO-SM) for nuclear structure studies far from stability. Exact shell-model solutions are obtained for typical open-shell light sd and pf nuclei using non-orthogonal Slater determinants consistently derived from the variation after projection approach. The latter represents a powerful method to include correlations from particle-hole excitations. Applications to proton-rich nuclei at the N$\sim$Z line show the important role of these correlations to probe the structure transition in the $^{84,86}$Mo isotopes. We finally present a first complete description of low-lying spectroscopy in the superheavy 254 No, reproducing excellently various band structures and isomers in this challenging nucleus.