Microscopic self-consistent description of induced fission: Dynamical pairing degree of freedom

The role of dynamical pairing in induced fission dynamics is investigated using the time-dependent generator coordinate method in the Gaussian overlap approximation, based on the microscopic framework of nuclear energy density functionals. A calculation of fragment charge yields for induced fission of Th-228 is performed in a three-dimensional space of collective coordinates that, in addition to the axial quadrupole and octupole intrinsic deformations of the nuclear density, also includes an isoscalar pairing degree of freedom. It is shown that the inclusion of dynamical pairing has a pronounced effect on the collective inertia, the collective flux through the scission hypersurface, and the resulting fission yields, reducing the asymmetric peaks and enhancing the contribution of symmetric fission, in better agreement with the empirical trend.

Automated summary

The role of dynamical pairing in induced fission dynamics was investigated using the time-dependent generator coordinate method, showing a pronounced effect on collective inertia and collective flux, leading to reduced asymmetric peaks and enhanced symmetric fission yields in better agreement with empirical trends.