Influence of the symmetry energy on the nuclear binding energies and the neutron drip line position

Journal Article · 12 November 2023 · Physical Review. C

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevc.108.054305 · OSTI ID:2315600

Ravlić, Ante  ^[1]; Yüksel, Esra  ^[2]; Nikšić, Tamara ^[3]; Paar, Nils  ^[3]

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1. Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI (United States); University of Zagreb (Croatia); Michigan State University
2. University of Surrey (United Kingdom)
3. University of Zagreb (Croatia)

A clear connection can be established between properties of nuclear matter and finite-nuclei observables, such as the correlation between the slope of the symmetry energy and the dipole polarizability, or between compressibility and the isoscalar monopole giant resonance excitation energy. Establishing a connection between realistic atomic nuclei and an idealized infinite nuclear matter leads to a better understanding of underlying physical mechanisms that govern nuclear dynamics. In this work, we aim to study the dependence of the binding energies and related quantities (e.g., location of drip lines, the total number of bound even-even nuclei) on the symmetry energy S₂ (ρ). The properties of finite nuclei are calculated by employing the relativistic Hartree-Bogoliubov model, assuming even-even axial and reflection symmetric nuclei. Calculations are performed by employing two families of relativistic energy density functionals, based on different effective Lagrangians, constrained to a specific symmetry energy at the saturation density J within the interval of 30–36 MeV. Nuclear binding energies and related quantities of bound nuclei are calculated between 8 ≤ Z ≤ 104 from the two-proton to the two-neutron drip line. As the neutron drip line is approached, the interactions with stiffer J tend to predict more bound nuclei, resulting in a systematic shift of the two-neutron drip line towards more neutron-rich nuclei. Consequentially, a correlation between the number of bound nuclei N_nucl and S₂ (ρ) is established for a set of functionals constrained using the similar optimization procedures. Furthermore the direction of the relationship between the number of bound nuclei and the symmetry energy highly depends on the density under consideration.

• Research Organization: Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA); Science and Technology Facilities Council; National Science Foundation (NSF)
• Grant/Contract Number: NA0004074
• OSTI ID: 2315600
• Journal Information: Physical Review. C, Journal Name: Physical Review. C Journal Issue: 5 Vol. 108; ISSN 2469-9985
• Publisher: American Physical Society (APS)Copyright Statement
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English