Fourier shape parametrization in covariant density functional theory for nuclear fission

Abstract

We implement the Fourier shape parametrization within the point-coupling covariant density functional theory to construct the collective space, potential energy surface (PES), and mass tensor, which serve as inputs for the time-dependent generator coordinate method to simulate the fission dynamics. Taking \(^{226}\)Th as a benchmark, we demonstrate the superiority of Fourier shape parametrization over conventional spherical harmonic parametrization: it significantly enhances the convergence of higher-order collective shape parameters by efficiently characterizing extreme nuclear deformations. Consequently, the new framework generates more reasonable elongated configurations, particularly for the scission configurations, and significantly improves the description of charge distribution near the symmetric fission peak. Moreover, the Fourier shape parametrization provides a smooth and well-defined three-dimensional (3D) PES with minimal correlations between degrees of freedom, enabling high-precision 3D dynamical simulations of fission.