Nuclear Energy Density Optimization: UNEDF2

The parameters of the UNEDF2 nuclear energy density functional (EDF) model were obtained in an optimization to experimental data consisting of nuclear binding energies, proton radii, odd-even mass staggering data, fission-isomer excitation energies, and single particle energies. In addition to parameter optimization, sensitivity analysis was done to obtain parameter uncertainties and correlations. The resulting UNEDF2 is an all-around EDF. However, the sensitivity analysis also demonstrated that the limits of current Skyrme-like EDFs have been reached and that novel approaches are called for.

Partial wave decomposition of the N3LO equation of state

By means of a partial wave decomposition, we separate their contributions to the equation of state of symmetric nuclear matter for the N3LO pseudo-potential. In particular, we show that although both the tensor and the spin-orbit terms do not contribute to the equation of state, they give a non-vanishing contribution to the separate (JLS) channels.

Extended Skyrme pseudopotential deduced from infinite nuclear matter properties

We discuss the contributions to the equation of state for the NlLO Skyrme pseudopotential (l = 2,3). We show that by adding fourth- and sixth-order gradient terms, it is possible to fairly reproduce the spin/isospin decomposition of an equation of state obtained from ab initio methods. Moreover, by inspecting the partial-wave decomposition of the equation of state, we show for the first time a possible way to add explicit constraints on the sign of the tensor terms of the Skyrme interaction.

Nuclear energy density optimization: Shell structure

Nuclear density functional theory is the only microscopical theory that can be applied throughout the entire nuclear landscape. Its key ingredient is the energy density functional. In this work, we propose a new parameterization UNEDF2 of the Skyrme energy density functional. The functional optimization is carried out using the POUNDerS optimization algorithm within the framework of the Skyrme Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov theory. Compared to the previous parameterization UNEDF1, restrictions on the tensor term of the energy density have been lifted, yielding a very general form of the energy density functional up to second order in derivatives of the one-body density matrix. In order to impose c…

Spurious finite-size instabilities in nuclear energy density functionals

It is known that some well-established parametrizations of the EDF do not always provide converged results for nuclei and a qualitative link between this finding and the appearance of finite-size instabilities of SNM near saturation density when computed within the RPA has been pointed out. We seek for a quantitative and systematic connection between the impossibility to converge self-consistent calculations of nuclei and the occurrence of finite-size instabilities in SNM for the example of scalar-isovector (S=0, T=1) instabilities of the standard Skyrme EDF. We aim to establish a stability criterion based on computationally-friendly RPA calculations of SNM that is independent on the functi…

Linear response of homogeneous nuclear matter with energy density functionals

Response functions of infinite nuclear matter with arbitrary isospin asymmetry are studied in the framework of the random phase approximation. The residual interaction is derived from a general nuclear Skyrme energy density functional. Besides the usual central, spin-orbit and tensor terms it could also include other components as new density-dependent terms or three-body terms. Algebraic expressions for the response functions are obtained from the Bethe-Salpeter equation for the particle-hole propagator. Applications to symmetric nuclear matter, pure neutron matter and asymmetric nuclear matter are presented and discussed. Spin-isospin strength functions are analyzed for varying conditions…

Infinite matter properties and zero-range limit of nonrelativistic finite-range interactions

We discuss some infinite matter properties of two finite-range interactions widely used for nuclear structure calculations, namely Gogny and M3Y interactions. We show that some useful informations can be deduced for the central, tensor and spin-orbit terms from the spin-isospin channels and the partial wave decomposition of the symmetric nuclear matter equation of state. We show in particular that the central part of the Gogny interaction should benefit from the introduction of a third Gaussian and the tensor parameters of both interactions can be deduced from special combinations of partial waves. We also discuss the fact that the spin-orbit of the M3Y interaction is not compatible with lo…

Extended Skyrme Equation of State in asymmetric nuclear matter

We present a new equation of state for infinite systems (symmetric, asymmetric, and neutron matter) based on an extended Skyrme functional that has been constrained by microscopic Brueckner-Bethe-Goldstone results. The resulting equation of state reproduces the main features of microscopic calculations very accurately and is compatible with recent measurements of two times Solar-mass neutron stars. We provide all necessary analytical expressions to facilitate a quick numerical implementation of quantities of astrophysical interest.

WITHDRAWN: Linear Response Theory with finite-range interactions

Linear response theory and neutrino mean free path using Brussels-Montreal Skyrme functionals

The Brussels-Montreal Skyrme functionals have been successful in describing properties of both finite nuclei and infinite homogeneous nuclear matter. In their latest version, these functionals have been equipped with two extra density-dependent terms in order to reproduce simultaneously ground state properties of nuclei and infinite nuclear matter properties while avoiding at the same time the arising of ferromagnetic instabilities. In the present article, we extend our previous results of the linear response theory to include such extra terms at both zero and finite temperature in pure neutron matter. The resulting formalism is then applied to derive the neutrino mean free path. The predic…

Linear response theory in asymmetric nuclear matter for Skyrme functionals including spin-orbit and tensor terms

The formalism of linear response theory for a Skyrme functional including spin-orbit and tensor terms is generalized to the case of infinite nuclear matter with arbitrary isospin asymmetry. Response functions are obtained by solving an algebraic system of equations, which is explicitly given. Spin-isospin strength functions are analyzed varying the conditions of density, momentum transfer, asymmetry, and temperature. The presence of instabilities, including the spinodal one, is studied by means of the static susceptibility.

Tools for incorporating a D-wave contribution in Skyrme energy density functionals

International audience; The possibility of adding a D-wave term to the standard Skyrme effective interaction has been widely considered in the past. Such a term has been shown to appear in the next-to-next-to-leading order of the Skyrme pseudo-potential. The aim of the present article is to provide the necessary tools to incorporate this term in a fitting procedure: first, a mean-field equation written in spherical symmetry in order to describe spherical nuclei and second, the response function to detect unphysical instabilities. With these tools it will be possible to build a new fitting procedure to determine the coupling constants of the new functional.

Linear Response Theory with finite-range interactions

International audience; This review focuses on the calculation of infinite nuclear matter response functions using phenomenological finite-range interactions, equipped or not with tensor terms. These include Gogny and Nakada families, which are commonly used in the literature. Because of the finite-range, the main technical difficulty stems from the exchange terms of the particle–hole interaction. We first present results based on the so-called Landau and Landau-like approximations of the particle–hole interaction. Then, we review two methods which in principle provide numerically exact response functions. The first one is based on a multipolar expansion of both the particle–hole interactio…

Neutrino mean free path in neutron matter with Brussels-Montreal Skyrme functionals

We calculate the neutrino mean free path in cold neutron matter with some modern Brussels-Montreal functionals. The three typical functionals used in this article produce quite different results implying a possible impact on the cooling mechanism of neutron stars.

Spurious finite-size instabilities in nuclear energy density functionals: Spin channel

Background: It has been recently shown that some Skyrme functionals can lead to nonconverging results in the calculation of some properties of atomic nuclei. A previous study has pointed out a possible link between these convergence problems and the appearance of finite-size instabilities in symmetric nuclear matter (SNM) around saturation density. Purpose: We show that the finite-size instabilities not only affect the ground-state properties of atomic nuclei, but they can also influence the calculations of vibrational excited states in finite nuclei. Method: We perform systematic fully-self consistent random phase approximation (RPA) calculations in spherical doubly magic nuclei. We employ…

Solution of Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov equations and fitting procedure using the N2LO Skyrme pseudopotential in spherical symmetry

International audience; We present the development of the extended Skyrme N2LO pseudopotential in the case of spherical even-even nuclei calculations. The energy density functional is first presented. Then we derive the mean-field equations and discuss the numerical method used to solve the resulting fourth-order differential equation together with the behavior of the solutions at the origin. Finally, a fitting procedure for such an N2LO interaction is discussed and we provide a first parametrization. Typical ground-state observables are calculated and compared against experimental data.

Effect of three-body forces on response functions in infinite neutron matter

International audience; We study the impact of three-body forces on the response functions of cold neutron matter. These response functions are determined in the random phase approximation (RPA) from a residual interaction expressed in terms of Landau parameters. Special attention is paid to the non-central part, including all terms allowed by the relevant symmetries. Using Landau parameters derived from realistic nuclear two- and three-body forces grounded in chiral effective field theory, we find that the three-body term has a strong impact on the excited states of the system and in the static and long-wavelength limit of the response functions for which a new exact formula is established.

Nuclear matter response function with a central plus tensor Landau interaction

We present a method to obtain response functions in the random phase approximation (RPA) based on a residual interaction described in terms of Landau parameters with central plus tensor contributions. The response functions keep the explicit momentum dependence of the RPA, in contrast with the traditional Landau approximation. Results for symmetric nuclear matter and pure neutron matter are presented using Landau parameters derived from finite-range interactions, both phenomenological and microscopic. We study the convergence of response functions as the number of Landau parameters is increased.

Partial wave decomposition of finite-range effective tensor interaction

We perform a detailed analysis of the properties of the finite-range tensor term associated with the Gogny and M3Y effective interactions. In particular, by using a partial-wave decomposition of the equation of state of symmetric nuclear matter, we show how we can extract their tensor parameters directly from microscopic results based on bare nucleon-nucleon interactions. Furthermore, we show that the zero-range limit of both finite-range interactions has the form of the next-to-next-to-next-leading-order (N3LO) Skyrme pseudopotential, which thus constitutes a reliable approximation in the density range relevant for finite nuclei. Finally, we use Brueckner-Hartree-Fock results to fix the te…

Linear response theory in asymmetric nuclear matter for Skyrme functionals including spin-orbit and tensor terms II: Charge Exchange

International audience; We present the formalism of linear response theory both at zero and finite temperature in the case of asymmetric nuclear matter excited by an isospin flip probe. The particle-hole interaction is derived from a general Skyrme functional that includes spin-orbit and tensor terms. Response functions are obtained by solving a closed algebraic system of equations. Spin strength functions are analyzed for typical values of density, momentum transfer, asymmetry, and temperature. We evaluate the role of statistical errors related to the uncertainties of the coupling constants of the Skyrme functional and thus determine the confidence interval of the resulting response functi…

Does the Gogny interaction need a third Gaussian?

International audience; By considering infinite matter constraints only, we suggest in this paper that the Gogny interaction should benefit from a third Gaussian in its central part. A statistical analysis is given to select the possible ranges which are compatible with these constraints and which minimize a $\chi^2$ function.

Skyrme effective pseudopotential up to next-to-next-to leading order

The explicit form of the next-to-next-to-leading order ((NLO)-L-2) of the Skyrme effective pseudopotential compatible with all required symmetries and especially with gauge invariance is presented in a Cartesian basis. It is shown in particular that for such a pseudopotential there is no spin-orbit contribution and that the D-wave term suggested in the original Skyrme formulation does not satisfy the invariance properties. The six new (NLO)-L-2 terms contribute to both the equation of state and the Landau parameters. These contributions to symmetric nuclear matter are given explicitly and discussed.