arXiv subjects

Markus Kortelainen

Publications and source records attributed to Markus Kortelainen.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Octupole deformation properties in the actinides region using Fayans functionals

In this first-of-its-kind survey conducted on heavy and deformed nuclei in the actinide region of the nuclear chart, we have charted nuclear ground state properties predicted by Fayans energy density functionals (EDFs), focusing in particularly on octupole deformability. Compared to earlier studies with Skyrme-based EDFs, we found similar region of octupole deformed nuclei. Moreover, Fayans EDFs were found to provide accurate predictions for various ground state properties, when compared to experimental data. Comparison to Skyrme-based EDF shows similar trends in various nuclear properties.

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arXiv2026

Impact of octupole deformation on the nuclear electromagnetic response

Background: Properties of giant dipole resonances, along with other nuclear resonances, provide valuable tools for refining theoretical models as they reflect collective features of nuclear matter. Among such collective phenomena is octupole deformation, whose impact on resonance features, however, is less studied. Purpose: Investigate the effect of reflection-symmetry-breaking octupole deformation on electric and magnetic transition strengths in atomic nuclei. Methods: Calculations were performed using linear response theory with the iterative finite amplitude method to solve quasiparticle random phase approximation-type equations. Underlying ground-state solutions were obtained within the framework of axially symmetric Skyrme-Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov (HFB) using three different Skyrme functionals. Results: Electric and magnetic multipole responses were calculated for octupole-deformed even-even Rn, Ra, Th, U, Pu, and Cm isotopes. Calculations were performed on top of two distinct deformed ground-state solutions: one constrained to conserve parity, and the other allowing parity breaking. Sum rules were calculated from $M1$ transition strengths and compared with the expected correlations to certain ground-state properties. Conclusions: Based on our results, the octupole deformation has only a modest effect on the transition strengths in the resonances. In turn, $M1$ transition strengths have a greater effect at lower energies ($0\,\text{--}\,8\,\text{MeV}$), which encourages further investigation. Isoscalar $E3$ transition strength was confirmed to have a significant contribution from the rotational Nambu--Goldstone mode in the parity-breaking HFB solution, and thus, removing it was found necessary.

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arXiv2025

Moments of inertia of rare-earth nuclei and the nuclear time-odd mean fields within exact solutions of the adiabatic theory

We systematically analyse the nuclear moments of inertia determined within the Skyrme and Gogny density functional theories. The time-odd mean fields generated by collective rotation are self-consistently determined by a novel exact iterative solution of the adiabatic time-dependent Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov (ATDHFB) equations. Although details of the results depend on the functional used, the calculated moments of inertia are in good overall agreement with the experimental data, with no adjustable parameters. To show the essential importance of the time-odd mean fields, we compared the ATDHFB moments of inertia with those obtained from the Inglis-Belyaev formula. For Skyrme density functionals, we find strong correlations between the effective mass and the impact of the time-odd mean fields on the rotational and vibrational collective inertia.

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arXiv2024

Iterative solutions of the ATDHFB equations to determine the nuclear collective inertia

An iterative adiabatic time-dependent Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov (ATDHFB) method is developed within the framework of Skyrme density functional theory. The ATDHFB equation is solved iteratively to avoid explicitly calculating the stability matrix. The contribution of the time-odd mean fields to the ATDHF(B) moment of inertia is incorporated self-consistently, and the results are verified by comparing them with the dynamical cranking predictions. The inertia mass tensor is calculated with the density-derivative term evaluated by numerical differentiation.

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arXiv2024

High-precision mass measurements of neutron deficient silver isotopes probe the robustness of the $N$ = 50 shell closure

High-precision mass measurements of exotic $^{95-97}$Ag isotopes close to the $N = Z$ line have been conducted with the JYFLTRAP double Penning trap mass spectrometer, with the silver ions produced using the recently commissioned inductively-heated hot cavity catcher laser ion source at the Ion Guide Isotope Separator On-Line facility. The atomic mass of $^{95}$Ag was directly determined for the first time. In addition, the atomic masses of $β$-decaying 2$^+$ and 8$^+$ states in $^{96}$Ag have been identified and measured for the first time, and the precision of the $^{97}$Ag mass has been improved. The newly measured masses, with a precision of $\approx$ 1 keV/c$^2$, have been used to investigate the $N =$ 50 neutron shell closure confirming it to be robust. Empirical shell-gap and pairing energies determined with the new ground-state mass data are compared with the state-of-the-art \textit{ab initio} calculations with various chiral effective field theory Hamiltonians. The precise determination of the excitation energy of the $^{96m}$Ag isomer in particular serves as a benchmark for \textit{ab initio} predictions of nuclear properties beyond the ground state, specifically for odd-odd nuclei situated in proximity to the proton dripline below $^{100}$Sn. In addition, density functional theory (DFT) calculations and configuration-interaction shell-model (CISM) calculations are compared with the experimental results. All theoretical approaches face challenges to reproduce the trend of nuclear ground-state properties in the silver isotopic chain across the $N =$50 neutron shell and toward the proton drip-line.

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arXiv2023

Effects of Quasiparticle-Vibration Coupling on Gamow-Teller Strength and $β$ Decay with the Skyrme Proton-Neutron Finite-Amplitude Method

We adapt the proton-neutron finite-amplitude method, which in its original form is an efficient implementation of the Skyrme quasiparticle random phase approximation, to include the coupling of quasiparticles to like-particle phonons. The approach allows us to add beyond-QRPA correlations to computations of Gamow-Teller strength and $β$-decay rates in deformed nuclei for the first time. We test the approach in several deformed isotopes for which measured strength distributions are available. The additional correlations dramatically improve agreement with the data, and will lead to improved global $β$-decay rates.

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arXiv2021

Universal trend of charge radii of even-even Ca-Zn nuclei

Radii of nuclear charge distributions carry information about the strong and electromagnetic forces acting inside the atomic nucleus. While the global behavior of nuclear charge radii is governed by the bulk properties of nuclear matter, their local trends are affected by quantum motion of proton and neutron nuclear constituents. The measured differential charge radii $δ\langle r^2_c\rangle$ between neutron numbers $N=28$ and $N=40$ exhibit a universal pattern as a function of $n=N-28$ that is independent of the atomic number. Here we analyze this remarkable behavior in even-even nuclei from calcium to zinc using two state-of-the-art theories based on quantified nuclear interactions: the ab-initio coupled cluster theory and nuclear density functional theory. Both theories reproduce the smooth rise of differential charge radii and their weak dependence on the atomic number. By considering a large set of isotopic chains, we show that this trend can be captured by just two parameters: the slope and curvature of ${δ\langle r^2_c\rangle(n)}$. We demonstrate that these parameters show appreciable model dependence, and the statistical analysis indicates that they are not correlated with any single model property, i.e., they are impacted by both bulk nuclear properties as well as shell structure.

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arXiv2020

Nucleon localization function in rotating nuclei

Background: An electron localization function was originally introduced to visualize bond structures in molecules. It became a useful tool to describe electron configurations in atoms, molecules and solids. In nuclear physics, a nucleon localization function (NLF) has been used to characterize clusters in light nuclei, fragment formation in fission and pasta phases in the inner crust of neutron stars. Purpose: We use the NLF to study the nuclear response to fast rotation. Methods: We generalize the NLF to the case of nuclear rotation. The extended expressions involve both time-even and time-odd local densities. Since current density and density gradient contribute to the NLF primarily at the surface, we propose a simpler spatial measure given by the kinetic-energy density. Illustrative calculations for the superdeformed yrast band of $^{152}$Dy were carried out by using the cranked Skyrme-Hartree-Fock method. We also employed the cranked harmonic-oscillator model to gain insights into patterns revealed by the NLF at high angular momentum. Results: In a deformed rotating nucleus, several NLFs can be introduced, depending on the definition of the spin-quantization axis and self-consistent symmetries of the system. The oscillating pattern of the NLF can be explained by a constructive interference between the kinetic-energy and particle densities. The nodal pattern seen in the NLF along the major axis of a rotating nucleus comes from single-particle orbits with large aligned angular momentum. The variation of the NLF along the minor axis is traced back to deformation-aligned orbits. Conclusions: The NLF allows a simple interpretation of the shell structure evolution in the rotating nucleus in terms of the angular-momentum alignment of individual nucleons. We expect that the NLF will be useful for the characterization of other collective modes and time-dependent processes.

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arXiv2020

Thouless-Valatin moment of inertia and removal of the spurious mode in the linear response theory

Symmetry breaking at the mean-field level leads to an appearance of a symmetry restoring Nambu-Goldstone (NG) mode in the linear response theory. These modes represent a special kind of collective motion of the system. However, they can interfere with the calculated intrinsic physical excitations and, hence, they are often called as spurious modes. I discuss translational and rotational NG mode and the inertia parameter associated with these modes, by using the finite amplitude method formalism. I will also discuss how to remove spurious mode from the calculated transition strength function.

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arXiv2018

Correlating Schiff moments in the light actinides with octupole moments

We show that the measured intrinsic octupole moments of $^{220}$Rn, $^{224}$Ra, and $^{226}$Ra constrain the intrinsic Schiff moments of $^{225}$Ra$^{221}$Rn, $^{223}$Rn, $^{223}$Fr, $^{225}$Ra, and $^{229}$Pa. The result is a dramatically reduced uncertainty in intrinsic Schiff moments. Direct measurements of octupole moments in odd nuclei will reduce the uncertainty even more. The only significant source of nuclear-physics error in the laboratory Schiff moments will then be the intrinsic matrix elements of the time-reversal non-invariant interaction produced by CP-violating fundamental physics. Those matrix elements are also correlated with octupole moments, but with a larger systematic uncertainty.

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arXiv2017

Dependence of two-proton radioactivity on nuclear pairing models

Sensitivity of two-proton emitting decay to nuclear pairing correlation is discussed within a time-dependent three-body model. We focus on the $^6$Be nucleus assuming $α+ p + p$ configuration, and its decay process is described as a time-evolution of the three-body resonance state. For a proton-proton subsystem, a schematic density-dependent contact (SDDC) pairing model is employed. From the time-dependent calculation, we observed the exponential decay rule of a two-proton emission. It is shown that the density dependence does not play a major role in determining the decay width, which can be controlled only by the asymptotic strength of the pairing interaction. This asymptotic pairing sensitivity can be understood in terms of the dynamics of the wave function driven by the three-body Hamiltonian, by monitoring the time-dependent density distribution. With this simple SDDC pairing model, there remains an impossible trinity problem: it cannot simultaneously reproduce the empirical $Q$ value, decay width, and the nucleon-nucleon scattering length. This problem suggests that a further sophistication of the theoretical pairing model is necessary, utilizing the two-proton radioactivity data as the reference quantities.

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arXiv2017

Gamow-Teller response in the configuration space of DFT-rooted no-core configuration-interaction model

The atomic nucleus is a unique laboratory to study fundamental aspects of the electroweak interaction. This includes a question concerning in medium renormalization of the axial-vector current, which still lacks satisfactory explanation. Study of spin-isospin or Gamow-Teller (GT) response may provide valuable information on both the quenching of the axial-vector coupling constant as well as on nuclear structure and nuclear astrophysics. We have performed a seminal calculation of the GT response by using the no-core-configuration-interaction approach rooted on multi-reference density functional theory (DFT-NCCI). The model treats properly isospin and rotational symmetries and can be applied to calculate both the nuclear spectra and transition rates in atomic nuclei, irrespectively of their mass and particle-number parity. The method is applied to compute the GT strength distribution in selected $N\approx Z$ nuclei including the $p$-shell $^8$Li and $^8$Be nuclei and the $sd$-shell well-deformed nucleus $^{24}$Mg. In order to demonstrate a flexibility of the approach we present also a calculation of the superallowed GT beta decay in doubly-magic spherical $^{100}$Sn and the low-spin spectrum in $^{100}$In. It is demonstrated that the DFT-NCCI model is capable to capture the GT response satisfactorily well by using relatively small configuration space exhausting simultaneously the GT sum rule. The model, due to its flexibility and broad range of applicability, may either serve as a complement or even as an alternative to other theoretical approaches including the conventional nuclear shell model.

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arXiv2015

Finite amplitude method applied to giant dipole resonance in heavy rare-earth nuclei

Background: The quasiparticle random phase approximation (QRPA), within the framework of the nuclear density functional theory (DFT), has been a standard tool to access the collective excitations of the atomic nuclei. Recently, finite amplitude method (FAM) has been developed, in order to perform the QRPA calculations efficiently without any truncation on the two-quasiparticle model space. Purpose: We discuss the nuclear giant dipole resonance (GDR) in heavy rare-earth isotopes, for which the conventional matrix diagonalization of the QRPA is numerically demanding. A role of the Thomas-Reiche-Kuhn (TRK) sum rule enhancement factor, connected to the isovector effective mass, is also investigated. Methods: The electric dipole photoabsorption cross section was calculated within a parallelized FAM-QRPA scheme. We employed the Skyrme energy density functional self-consistently in the DFT calculation for the ground states and FAM-QRPA calculation for the excitations. Results: The mean GDR frequency and width are mostly reproduced with the FAM-QRPA, when compared to experimental data, although some deficiency is observed with isotopes heavier than erbium. A role of the TRK enhancement factor in actual GDR strength is clearly shown: its increment leads to a shift of the GDR strength to higher-energy region, without a significant change in the transition amplitudes. Conclusions: The newly developed FAM-QRPA scheme shows a remarkable efficiency, which enables to perform systematic analysis of GDR for heavy rare-earth nuclei. Theoretical deficiency of photoabsorption cross section could not be improved by only adjusting the TRK enhancement factor, suggesting the necessity of beyond the self-consistent QRPA approach, and/or a more systematic optimization of the EDF parameters.

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arXiv2015

Complex-energy approach to sum rules within nuclear density functional theory

The linear response of the nucleus to an external field contains unique information about the effective interaction, correlations, and properties of its excited states. To characterize the response, it is useful to use its energy-weighted moments, or sum rules. By comparing computed sum rules with experimental values, the information content of the response can be utilized in the optimization process of the nuclear Hamiltonian or EDF. But the additional information comes at a price: compared to the ground state, computation of excited states is more demanding. To establish an efficient framework to compute sum rules of the response that is adaptable to the optimization of the nuclear EDF and large-scale surveys of collective strength, we have developed a new technique within the complex-energy FAM based on the QRPA. To compute sum rules, we carry out contour integration of the response function in the complex-energy plane. We benchmark our results against the conventional matrix formulation of the QRPA theory, the Thouless theorem for the energy-weighted sum rule, and the dielectric theorem for the inverse energy-weighted sum rule. We demonstrate that calculated sum-rule values agree with those obtained from the matrix formulation of the QRPA. We also discuss the applicability of both the Thouless theorem about the energy-weighted sum rule and the dielectric theorem for the inverse energy-weighted sum rule to nuclear density functional theory in cases when the EDF is not based on a Hamiltonian. The proposed sum-rule technique based on the complex-energy FAM is a tool of choice when optimizing effective interactions or energy functionals. The method is very efficient and well-adaptable to parallel computing. The FAM formulation is especially useful when standard theorems based on commutation relations involving the nuclear Hamiltonian and external field cannot be used.

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arXiv2014

Propagation of uncertainties in the nuclear DFT models

Parameters of the nuclear density functional theory (DFT) models are usually adjusted to experimental data. As a result they carry certain theoretical error, which, as a consequence, carries out to the predicted quantities. In this work we address the propagation of theoretical error, within the nuclear DFT models, from the model parameters to the predicted observables. In particularly, the focus is set on the Skyrme energy density functional models.

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arXiv2013

Low energy collective modes of deformed superfluid nuclei within the finite amplitude method

Background: The major challenge for nuclear theory is to describe and predict global properties and collective modes of atomic nuclei. Of particular interest is the response of the nucleus to a time-dependent external field that impacts the low-energy multipole and beta-decay strength. Purpose: We propose a method to compute low-lying collective modes in deformed nuclei within the finite amplitude method (FAM) based on the quasiparticle random-phase approximation (QRPA). By using the analytic property of the response function, we find the QRPA amplitudes by computing the residua of the FAM amplitudes by means of a contour integration around the QRPA poles in a complex frequency plane. Methods: We use the superfluid nuclear density functional theory with Skyrme energy density functionals, FAM-QRPA approach, and the conventional matrix formulation of the QRPA (MQRPA). Results: We demonstrate that the complex-energy FAM-QRPA method reproduces low-lying collective states obtained within the conventional matrix formulation of the QRPA theory. Illustrative calculations are performed for the isoscalar monopole strength in deformed 24Mg and for low-lying K = 0 quadrupole vibrational modes of deformed Yb and Er isotopes. Conclusions: The proposed FAM-QRPA approach allows one to efficiently calculate low-lying collective modes in spherical and deformed nuclei throughout the entire nuclear landscape, including shape-vibrational excitations, pairing vibrational modes, and beta-decay rates.

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arXiv2013

Computational Nuclear Quantum Many-Body Problem: The UNEDF Project

The UNEDF project was a large-scale collaborative effort that applied high-performance computing to the nuclear quantum many-body problem. UNEDF demonstrated that close associations among nuclear physicists, mathematicians, and computer scientists can lead to novel physics outcomes built on algorithmic innovations and computational developments. This review showcases a wide range of UNEDF science results to illustrate this interplay.

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arXiv2007

Nuclear matrix elements of neutrinoless double beta decay with improved short-range correlations

Nuclear matrix elements of the neutrinoless double beta decays of 96Zr, 100Mo, 116Cd, 128Te, 130Te and 136Xe are calculated for the light-neutrino exchange mechanism by using the proton-neutron quasiparticle random-phase approximation (pnQRPA) with a realistic nucleon-nucleon force. The g_pp parameter of the pnQRPA is fixed by the data on the two-neutrino double beta decays and single beta decays. The finite size of a nucleon, the higher-order terms of nucleonic weak currents, and the nucleon-nucleon short-range correlations (s.r.c) are taken into account. The s.r.c. are computed by the traditional Jastrow method and by the more advanced unitary correlation operator method (UCOM). Comparison of the results obtained by the two methods is carried out. The UCOM computed matrix elements turn out to be considerably larger than the Jastrow computed ones. This result is important for the assessment of the neutrino-mass sensitivity of the present and future double beta experiments.

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