Mean-field Based Approaches to Pairing Correlations in Atomic Nuclei

The evolution of the pairing correlations from closed shell to middle shell nuclei is analyzed with a Finite Range Density Dependent interaction in the Sn isotopes. As theoretical approaches we use the Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov, the Lipkin-Nogami, their particle number projected counterparts and the full variation after particle number projection method. We find that whereas all approaches succeed rather well in the description of the total energy they differ significantly in the pairing correlation content of the wave functions. The description of the evolution from the weak to the strong pairing regime is also approach dependent, specially at shell closure.Comment: 14 pages, 5 figure

Particle number projection with effective forces

The particle number projection method is formulated for density dependent forces and in particular for the finite range Gogny force. Detailed formula for the projected energy and its gradient are provided. The problems arising from the neglection of any exchange term, which may lead to divergences, are throughly discussed and the possible inaccuracies estimated. Numericala results for the projection after variation method are shown for the nucleus 164Er and for the projection before variation approach for the nuclei 48-50Cr. We also confirm the Coulomb antipairing effect found in mean field theories.Comment: 33 pages, 8 figures. Submit to Nuc. Phys.

Pairing Correlations in Finite Systems: From the weak to the strong fluctuations regime

The Particle Number Projected Generator Coordinate Method is formulated for the pairing Hamiltonian in a detailed way in the projection after variation and the variation after projection methods. The dependence of the wave functions on the generator coordinate is analyzed performing numerical applications for the most relevant collective coordinates. The calculations reproduce the exact solution in the weak, crossover and strong pairing regimes. The physical insight of the Ansatz and its numerical simplicity make this theory an excellent tool to study pairing correlations in complex situations and/or involved Hamiltonians.Comment: Submitted to EPJ

A variational approach to approximate particle number projection with effective forces

Kamlah's second order method for approximate particle number projection is applied for the first time to variational calculations with effective forces. High spin states of normal and superdeformed nuclei have been calculated with the finite range density dependent Gogny force for several nuclei. Advantages and drawbacks of the Kamlah second order method as compared to the Lipkin-Nogami recipe are thoroughly discussed. We find that the Lipkin-Nogami prescription occasionally may fail to find the right energy minimum in the strong pairing regime and that Kamlah's second order approach, though providing better results than the LN one, may break down in some limiting situations.Comment: 16 pages, 8 figure

Properties of the predicted super-deformed band in ^{32}S

Properties like the excitation energy with respect to the ground state, moments of inertia, B(E2) transition probabilities and stability against quadrupole fluctuations at low spin of the predicted superdeformed band of ^{32}S are studied with the Gogny force D1S using the angular momentum projected generator coordinate method for the axially symmetric quadrupole moment. The Self Consistent Cranking method is also used to describe the superdeformed rotational band. In addition, properties of some collective normal deformed states are discussed.Comment: 7 pages, 3 figure

Unveiling the origin of shape coexistence in lead isotopes

The shape coexistence in the nuclei $^{182-192}$Pb is analyzed within the Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov approach with the effective Gogny force. A good agreement with the experimental energies is found for the coexisting spherical, oblate and prolate states. Contrary to the established interpretation, it is found that the low-lying prolate and oblate $0^+$ states observed in this mass region are predominantly characterized by neutron correlations whereas the protons behave as spectators rather than playing an active role.Comment: 5 pages, 6 postscript figure

Symmetry conserving configuration mixing description of odd mass nuclei

We present a self-consistent theory for the description of the spectroscopic properties of odd nuclei, which includes exact blocking, particle-number and angular-momentum projection, and configuration mixing. In our theory the pairing correlations are treated in a variation-after-projection approach and the triaxial deformation parameters are explicitly considered as generator coordinates. The angular-momentum and particle-number symmetries are exactly recovered. The use of the effective finite-range density-dependent Gogny force in the calculations provides an added value to the theoretical results. We apply the theory to the textbook example of Mg25 and, although this nucleus has been thoroughly studied in the past, we still provide a novel view of nuclear phenomena taking place in this nucleus. We obtain an overall good agreement with the known experimental energies and transition probabilities without any additional parameter such as effective charges. In particular, we clearly identify six bands, two of which we interpret as collective γ bandsThis work was supported by MINECO (Spain) under contract FPA2014-57196-C5-2-P

Shape coexistence in neutron-deficient Kr isotopes: Constraints on the single-particle spectrum of self-consistent mean-field models from collective excitations

We discuss shape coexistence in the neutron-deficient Kr72-Kr78 isotopes in the framework of configuration mixing calculations of particle-number and angular-momentum projected axial mean-field states obtained from self-consistent calculations with the Skyrme interaction SLy6 and a density-dependent pairing interaction. While our calculation reproduces qualitatively and quantitatively many of the global features of these nuclei, such as coexistence of prolate and oblate shapes, their strong mixing at low angular momentum, and the deformation of collective bands, the ordering of our calculated low-lying levels is at variance with experiment. We analyse the role of the single-particle spectrum of the underlying mean-field for the spectrum of collective excitations.Comment: accepted for publication in Phys. Rev.

Approximate particle number projection for finite range density dependent forces

The Lipkin-Nogami method is generalized to deal with finite range density dependent forces. New expressions are derived and realistic calculations with the Gogny force are performed for the nuclei $^{164}$Er and $^{168}$Er. The sharp phase transition predicted by the mean field approximation is washed out by the Lipkin-Nogami approach; a much better agreement with the experimental data is reached with the new approach than with the Hartree-Fock_Bogoliubov one, specially at high spins.Comment: 5 pages, RevTeX 3.0, 3 postscript figures included using uufiles. Submitted to Phys. Rev. Let