Multidimensionally-constrained relativistic Hartree-Bogoliubov study of nuclear spontaneous fission

Abstract

Recent microscopic studies, based on the theoretical framework of nuclear energy density functionals, have analyzed dynamic (least action) and static (minimum energy) fission paths, and it has been shown that in addition to the important role played by nonaxial and/or octupole collective degrees of freedom, fission paths crucially depend on the approximations adopted in calculating the collective inertia. The dynamics of spontaneous fission of $^{264}$Fm and $^{250}$Fm is explored. The fission paths, action integrals and the corresponding half-lives predicted by the functionals PC-PK1 and DD-PC1 are compared and, in the case of $^{264}$Fm, discussed in relation with recent results obtained using the HFB model based on the Skyrme functional SkM$^*$ and a density dependent mixed pairing interaction. Deformation energy surfaces, collective potentials, and perturbative and nonperturbative cranking collective inertia tensors are calculated using the multidimensionally-constrained relativistic Hartree-Bogoliubov (MDC-RHB) model, with the energy density functionals PC-PK1 and DD-PC1. Pairing correlations are treated in the Bogoliubov approximation using a separable pairing force of finite range. The least-action principle is employed to determine dynamic spontaneous fission paths.