Shape evolution of sub-lead neutron-rich nuclei around the neutron shell closure

Shape transitions in the isotopes of transitional nuclei W, Os, and Pt are studied by using the energy density functional framework rooted in the effective nucleon-nucleon interactions. The UNEDF1 parametrization of the Skyrme energy density functionals along with the Lipkin-Nogami corrections are employed to obtain the potential energy surfaces of the even-even isotopes of these nuclei around the N = 126 neutron shell closure. Further, to get more insight into the shape changes, we extract the nucleonic localization functions for selected isotopes. For all three isotopic chains, we observed shape transitions from triaxial deformation to oblate, then spherical ground state for shell-closed isotopes, and finally prolate deformation for highly neutron-rich isotopes. Moreover, we calculate other observables like pairing gaps, two-neutron separation energies, and reduced transition probabilities in support of our predictions based on the potential energy surfaces.

Automated summary

Shape transitions in the isotopes of transitional nuclei W, Os, and Pt are studied using the energy density functional framework. The study shows that under certain conditions, the shapes of these nuclei can transition from triaxial deformation to oblate deformation, then to spherical ground state, and finally to prolate deformation.