Microscopic core-quasiparticle coupling model for spectroscopy of odd-mass nuclei

Background: Predictions of the spectroscopic properties of low-lying states are critical for nuclear structure studies but are problematic for nuclei with an odd nucleon due to the interplay of the unpaired single particle with nuclear collective degrees of freedom. Purpose: To predict the spectroscopic properties of odd-mass medium-heavy and heavy nuclei with a model that treats single-particle and collective degrees of freedom within the same microscopic framework. Method: A microscopic core-quasiparticle coupling (CQC) model based on the covariant density functional theory is developed that contains the collective excitations of even-mass cores and spherical single-particle states of the odd nucleon as calculated from a quadrupole collective Hamiltonian combined with a constrained triaxial relativistic Hartree-Bogoliubov model. Results: Predictions of the new model for excitation energies, kinematic and dynamic moments of inertia, and transition rates are shown to be in good agreement with results of low-lying spectroscopy measurements of the axially deformed odd-proton nucleus Tb-159 and the odd-neutron nucleus Gd-157. Conclusions: A microscopic CQC model based on covariant density functional theory is developed for odd-mass nuclei and shown to give predictions that agree with measurements of two medium-heavy nuclei. Future studies with additional nuclei are planned.