Comment on ``Structure of exotic nuclei and superheavy elements in a relativistic shell model''

A recent paper [M. Rashdan, Phys. Rev. C 63, 044303 (2001)] introduces the new parameterization NL-RA1 of the relativistic mean-field model which is claimed to give a better description of nuclear properties than earlier ones. Using this model ^{298}114 is predicted to be a doubly-magic nucleus. As will be shown in this comment these findings are to be doubted as they are obtained with an unrealistic parameterization of the pairing interaction and neglecting ground-state deformation.Comment: 2 pages REVTEX, 3 figures, submitted to comment section of Phys. Rev. C. shortened and revised versio

Systematics of quadrupolar correlation energies

We calculate correlation energies associated with the quadrupolar shape degrees of freedom with a view to improving the self-consistent mean-field theory of nuclear binding energies. The Generator Coordinate Method is employed using mean-field wave functions and the Skyrme SLy4 interaction. Systematic results are presented for 605 even-even nuclei of known binding energies, going from mass A=16 up to the heaviest known. The correlation energies range from 0.5 to 6.0 MeV in magnitude and are rather smooth except for large variations at magic numbers and in light nuclei. Inclusion of these correlation energies in the calculated binding energy is found to improve two deficiencies of the Skyrme mean field theory. The pure mean field theory has an exaggerated shell effect at neutron magic numbers and addition of the correlation energies reduce it. The correlations also explain the phenomenon of mutually enhanced magicity, an interaction between neutron and proton shell effects that is not explicable in mean field theory.Comment: 4 pages with 3 embedded figure

Calculation of the Hidden Symmetry Operator for a \cP\cT-Symmetric Square Well

It has been shown that a Hamiltonian with an unbroken \cP\cT symmetry also possesses a hidden symmetry that is represented by the linear operator \cC. This symmetry operator \cC guarantees that the Hamiltonian acts on a Hilbert space with an inner product that is both positive definite and conserved in time, thereby ensuring that the Hamiltonian can be used to define a unitary theory of quantum mechanics. In this paper it is shown how to construct the operator \cC for the \cP\cT-symmetric square well using perturbative techniques.Comment: 10 pages, 2 figure

Quantum counterpart of spontaneously broken classical PT symmetry

The classical trajectories of a particle governed by the PT-symmetric Hamiltonian $H=p^2+x^2(ix)^\epsilon$ ($\epsilon\geq0$) have been studied in depth. It is known that almost all trajectories that begin at a classical turning point oscillate periodically between this turning point and the corresponding PT-symmetric turning point. It is also known that there are regions in $\epsilon$ for which the periods of these orbits vary rapidly as functions of $\epsilon$ and that in these regions there are isolated values of $\epsilon$ for which the classical trajectories exhibit spontaneously broken PT symmetry. The current paper examines the corresponding quantum-mechanical systems. The eigenvalues of these quantum systems exhibit characteristic behaviors that are correlated with those of the associated classical system.Comment: 11 pages, 7 figure

Symmetry restoration for odd-mass nuclei with a Skyrme energy density functional

In these proceedings, we report first results for particle-number and angular-momentum projection of self-consistently blocked triaxial one-quasiparticle HFB states for the description of odd-A nuclei in the context of regularized multi-reference energy density functionals, using the entire model space of occupied single-particle states. The SIII parameterization of the Skyrme energy functional and a volume-type pairing interaction are used.Comment: 8 pages, 3 figures, workshop proceeding

Extending PT symmetry from Heisenberg algebra to E2 algebra

The E2 algebra has three elements, J, u, and v, which satisfy the commutation relations [u,J]=iv, [v,J]=-iu, [u,v]=0. We can construct the Hamiltonian H=J^2+gu, where g is a real parameter, from these elements. This Hamiltonian is Hermitian and consequently it has real eigenvalues. However, we can also construct the PT-symmetric and non-Hermitian Hamiltonian H=J^2+igu, where again g is real. As in the case of PT-symmetric Hamiltonians constructed from the elements x and p of the Heisenberg algebra, there are two regions in parameter space for this PT-symmetric Hamiltonian, a region of unbroken PT symmetry in which all the eigenvalues are real and a region of broken PT symmetry in which some of the eigenvalues are complex. The two regions are separated by a critical value of g.Comment: 8 pages, 7 figure

Microscopic models for exotic nuclei

Starting from successful self-consistent mean-field models, this paper discusses why and how to go beyond the mean field approximation. To include long-range correlations from fluctuations in collective degrees of freedom, one has to consider symmetry restoration and configuration mixing, which give access to ground-state correlations and spectroscopy.Comment: invited talk at ENAM0

A Class of Exactly-Solvable Eigenvalue Problems

The class of differential-equation eigenvalue problems $-y''(x)+x^{2N+2}y(x)=x^N Ey(x)$ ($N=-1,0,1,2,3,...$) on the interval $-\infty<x<\infty$ can be solved in closed form for all the eigenvalues $E$ and the corresponding eigenfunctions $y(x)$. The eigenvalues are all integers and the eigenfunctions are all confluent hypergeometric functions. The eigenfunctions can be rewritten as products of polynomials and functions that decay exponentially as $x\to\pm \infty$. For odd $N$ the polynomials that are obtained in this way are new and interesting classes of orthogonal polynomials. For example, when N=1, the eigenfunctions are orthogonal polynomials in $x^3$ multiplying Airy functions of $x^2$. The properties of the polynomials for all $N$ are described in detail.Comment: REVTeX, 16 pages, no figur

Does the complex deformation of the Riemann equation exhibit shocks?

The Riemann equation $u_t+uu_x=0$, which describes a one-dimensional accelerationless perfect fluid, possesses solutions that typically develop shocks in a finite time. This equation is \cP\cT symmetric. A one-parameter \cP\cT-invariant complex deformation of this equation, $u_t-iu(iu_x)^\epsilon= 0$ ($\epsilon$ real), is solved exactly using the method of characteristic strips, and it is shown that for real initial conditions, shocks cannot develop unless $\epsilon$ is an odd integer.Comment: latex, 8 page