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We investigate parameter dependence of the calculated $\beta$-decay properties, as well as low-lying states for the neutron-rich Zr isotopes within the neutron-proton interacting boson model (IBM-2) and interacting boson-fermion-fermion model (IBFFM-2). It is shown that the calculated $\log_{10}ft$ values for the transitions of the $0^+_1$ ground states of the parent even-even nuclei $^{96-102}$Zr into the $1^+_1$ states of the daughter odd-odd nuclei $^{96-102}$Nb consistently exhibit a strong dependence on those parameters associated with the quadrupole-quadrupole boson interaction, and with the residual interaction between an unpaired neutron and an unpaired proton in the IBFFM-2 Hamiltonian for the odd-odd Nb nuclei. By the reduction in magnitude of the quadrupole-quadrupole interaction strength by approximately a factor of 2, the calculated $\log_{10}ft$ values for the Zr$(0^+_1)\to$Nb$(1^+_1)$ transitions increase and agree with the experimental values. This points to a significant improvement over the previous study performed in the same mass region, that consists of the mapping from a relativistic energy density functional calculation onto the IBM-2 Hamiltonian., Comment: 17 pages, 12 figures, 3 tables

Evolution and coexistence of shape and the related collective states of even-even Te isotopes are investigated within the quadrupole collective model that is based on the nuclear density functional theory. By means of the constrained self-consistent mean-field calculations performed within the relativistic Hartree-Bogoliubov method with a choice of an energy density functional and a pairing force, parameters of the triaxial quadrupole collective Hamiltonian are completely determines. The collective model produces for the near mid-shell nuclei, e.g., $^{116}$Te and $^{118}$Te, low-energy and low-spin excited states, including the $0^+_2$ state, that can be interpreted as the intruder states associated with the strongly deformed prolate minimum in the potential energy surface, along with the $0^+_1$ ground state that is attributed to the normal state based on a weakly oblate deformed global minimum. The collective model calculation suggests the lowering of the $0^+_2$ energy level toward neutron mid-shell, as observed experimentally. The sensitivity of the mean-field and spectroscopic results to the choice of the pairing strength is also analyzed, and it is shown that by increasing the pairing strength description of the low-lying states of the near mid-shell nuclei is improved., Comment: 13 pages, 10 figures, 1 table

We present an extensive study of hexadecapole correlations in the rare-earth region near $N=90$ and the effects these correlations have on various nuclear properties, such as the low-energy spectra, as well as quadrupole, hexadecapole, and monopole transition strengths. In order to examine hexadecapole correlations, we employ a mapped $sdg$ interacting boson model, with parameters derived from a self-consistent mean-field calculations with a relativistic energy density functional. We apply this model to even-even isotopes of Nd, Sm, Gd, Dy, and Er ($Z=60 - 68$) with neutron numbers $N=84-96$. The obtained results show a good agreement with the experiment. By comparing the results with the ones obtained from a simpler mapped $sd$ interacting boson model, we show that the inclusion of the hexadecapole degree of freedom via $g$ boson is necessary to improve the results of the $J^{\pi} \geq 6^{+}$ yrast energies in the nuclei with $N=84$ and 86, being near the neutron shell closure. The $sdg$ interacting boson model increases the quadrupole transition strengths between yrast states in the $N=90$ and 92 well deformed nuclei, which is in good agreement with the experiment for most of those isotopes. The presence of $g$ bosons does have an important effect on hexadecapole transition strengths, although experimental data for such transitions are limited. The obtained monopole transition strengths do not differ significantly from the ones obtained from the simpler $sd$ model., Comment: 18 pages, 18 figures, 1 table

The hexadecapole deformation, as well as the quadrupole one, influences the low-lying states of finite nuclei. The hexadecapole correlations are often overshadowed by the large quadrupole effects, and hence have not been much investigated. Here we address the relevance of hexadecapole deformations in the calculations of low-energy collective states of heavy nuclei, by using the theoretical framework of the self-consistent mean-field method and the interacting-boson approximation. The interacting-boson Hamiltonian that explicitly includes the quadrupole and hexadecapole collective degrees of freedom is specified by a choice of the energy density functional and pairing interaction. In an illustrative application to axially deformed Gd isotopes, it is shown that the inclusion of the hexadecapole degree of freedom does not affect most of the low-spin and low-lying states qualitatively, but that has notable effects in that it significantly improves the description of high-spin states of the ground-state bands of nearly spherical vibrational nuclei and gives rise to $K^\pi=4^+$ bands exhibiting strong $E4$ transitions in strongly deformed nuclei., Comment: 7 pages, 3 figures

Octupole deformation and collective excitations are studied within the interacting boson model. By using the results of the self-consistent mean-field calculations with a universal energy density functional, the Hamiltonian of the interacting $s$, $d$, and $f$ boson system is completely determined. A global systematic study confirms that significant octupole effects are present in actinide, lanthanide, and rare-earth nuclei corresponding to particular nucleon numbers for which octupole correlations are empirically suggested to be enhanced., Comment: 5 pages, 7 figures; Proceedings of the 17th International Symposium on Capture Gamma-Ray Spectroscopy and Related Topics (CGS17), Grenoble, 17-21 July 2023

The information-geometric statistical analysis on the stability of model reductions, reported previously [Imbri\v{s}ak and Nomura, Phys. Rev. C 107, 034304 (2023)] with a focus on the manifold boundary approximation method in the application to the nuclear density-dependent point-coupling model of infinite nuclear matter, is extended to the numerically more challenging case of finite nuclei. A simple procedure is presented for determining the binding energies of doubly magic nuclei within the relativistic mean-field framework using the Woods-Saxon potential. The proposed procedure, employing the Fisher information matrix combined with algorithmic differentiation, is shown to provide reliable estimates of parameter uncertainties of the nuclear energy density functional for finite nuclei, while reducing the time-consuming sampling of the parameter space, which would be required in the numerically more involved Bayesian statistical techniques., Comment: 9 pages, 4 figures, 2 tables

The framework of nuclear energy density functionals has been employed to describe nuclear structure phenomena for a wide range of nuclei. Recently, statistical properties of a given nuclear model, such as parameter confidence intervals and correlations, have received much attention, particularly when one tries to fit complex models. We apply information-theoretic methods to investigate stability of model reductions by the manifold boundary approximation method (MBAM). In an illustrative example of the density-dependent point-coupling model of the relativistic energy density functional, utilizing Monte Carlo simulations, it is found that main conclusions obtained from the MBAM procedure are stable under variation of the model parameters. Furthermore, we find that the end of the geodesic occurs when the determinant of the Fisher information metric vanishes, thus effectively separating the parameter space into two disconnected regions., Comment: 12 pages, 7 figures, 1 table. arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:1606.08617 by other authors

Low-energy structure of even-even $^{108-116}$Cd isotopes is analyzed using a collective model that is based on the nuclear density functional theory. Spectroscopic properties are computed by solving the triaxial quadrupole collective Hamiltonian, with parameters determined by the constrained self-consistent mean-field calculations within the relativistic Hartree-Bogoliubov method employing a universal energy density functional and a pairing force. The collective Hamiltonian reproduces the observed quadrupole phonon states of vibrational character, which are based on the moderately deformed equilibrium minimum in the mean-field potential energy surface. In addition, the calculation yields a low-lying excited $0^+$ band and a $\gamma$-vibrational band that are associated with a deformed local minimum close in energy to the ground state, consistently with the empirical interpretation of these bands as intruder bands. Observed energy spectra, $B(E2)$, and $\rho^2(E0)$ values are, in general, reproduced reasonably well., Comment: 11 pages, 8 figures

The low-energy structure and $\beta$ decay properties of neutron-rich even- and odd-mass Pd and Rh nuclei are studied using a mapping framework based on the nuclear density functional theory and the particle-boson coupling scheme. Constrained Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov calculations using the Gogny-D1M energy density functional are performed to obtain microscopic inputs to determine the interacting-boson Hamiltonian employed to describe the even-even core Pd nuclei. The mean-field calculations also provide single-particle energies for the odd systems, which are used to determine essential ingredients of the particle-boson interactions for the odd-nucleon systems, and of the Gamow-Teller and Fermi transition operators. The potential energy surfaces obtained for even-even Pd isotopes as well as the spectroscopic properties for the even- and odd-mass systems suggest a transition from prolate deformed to $\gamma$-unstable and to nearly-spherical shapes. The predicted $\beta$ decay $\log{ft}$ values are shown to be sensitive to the details of the wave functions for the parent and daughter nuclei, and therefore serve as a stringent test of the employed theoretical approach., Comment: 19 pages, 15 figures, 6 tables

Spectroscopic properties that characterize the shape phase transitions in krypton isotopes with the mass $A\approx80$ region are investigated within the framework of the nuclear density functional theory. Triaxial quadrupole constrained self-consistent mean-field calculations that employ relativistic energy density functionals and a pairing interaction are carried out for the even-even nuclei $^{76-86}$Kr. The spectroscopic properties are computed by solving the triaxial quadrupole collective Hamiltonian, with the ingredients, i.e., the deformation-dependent moments of inertia and mass parameters, and the collective potential, determined by using the SCMF solutions as microscopic inputs. Systematic behaviors of the SCMF potential energy surfaces, the corresponding low-energy spectra, electric quadrupole and monopole transition probabilities, and the fluctuations in the triaxial quadrupole deformations indicate evolution of the underlying nuclear structure as functions of the neutron number, that is characterized by a considerable degree of shape mixing. A special attention is paid to the transitional nucleus $^{82}$Kr, which has been recently identified experimentally as an empirical realization of the E(5) critical-point symmetry., Comment: 15 pages, 10 figures, 1 table

We use self-consistent mean-field methods in combination with the interacting boson model (IBM) of nuclei, to establish a linkage between universal energy density functionals (EDFs) and partial dynamical symmetry (PDS). An application to $^{168}$Er shows that IBM Hamiltonians derived microscopically from known nonrelativistic and relativistic EDFs in this region, conform with SU(3)-PDS., Comment: 12 pages, 4 figures, 1 table, Proceedings International Workshop "Shapes and Dynamics of Atomic Nuclei: Contemporary Aspects" (SDANCA-21), September 16-18, 2021, Sofia, Bulgaria

The evolution of quadrupole and octupole collectivity in neutron-deficient Xe, Ba, Ce, and Nd nuclei near the "octupole magic" neutron number $N=56$ is investigated within the mapped $sdf$-IBM framework. Microscopic input is obtained via quadrupole and octupole constrained Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov calculations, based on the parametrization D1M of the Gogny energy density functional. Octupole-deformed mean-field ground states are predicted for Ba and Ce isotopes near $N=56$. Excitation energies of positive- and negative-parity states as well as electric transition rates are computed with wave functions resulting from the diagonalization of the mapped IBM Hamiltonian. The parameters of the Hamiltonian are determined via the mapping of the mean-field potential energy surfaces onto the expectation value of the Hamiltonian in the condensate state of the $s$, $d$, and $f$ bosons. Enhanced octupolarity is predicted for Xe, Ba, and Ce isotopes near $N=56$. The shape/phase transition from octupole-deformed to strongly quadrupole-deformed near $N=60$ is analyzed in detail., Comment: 13 pages, 13 figures, 1 table. arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:2106.04076

An alternative interpretation of the recently reported low-lying excited bands in $\gamma$-soft odd-mass nuclei as wobbling bands is presented in terms of the interacting boson-fermion model. The model Hamiltonian is determined based on the mean-field calculations with the nuclear energy density functionals. The predicted mixing ratios of the $\Delta{I}=1$ electric quadrupole to magnetic dipole transition rates between yrast bands and those yrare bands previously interpreted as wobbling bands in $^{135}$Pr, $^{133}$La, $^{127}$Xe, and $^{105}$Pd are consistently smaller in magnitude than the experimental values on which the wobbling interpretation is based. These calculated mixing ratios indicate predominant magnetic character in agreement with the new experimental data. The earlier wobbling assignments are severely questioned., Comment: 12 pages, 13 figures, 2 tables; To appear in Phys. Rev. C

The effect of coupling between pairing and quadrupole triaxial shape vibrations on the low-energy collective states of $\gamma$-soft nuclei is investigated using a model based on the framework of nuclear energy density functionals (EDFs). Employing a constrained self-consistent mean-field (SCMF) method that uses universal EDFs and pairing interactions, potential energy surfaces of characteristic $\gamma$-soft Os and Pt nuclei with $A\approx190$ are calculated as functions of the pairing and triaxial quadrupole deformations. Collective spectroscopic properties are computed using a number-nonconserving interacting boson model (IBM) Hamiltonian, with parameters determined by mapping the SCMF energy surface onto the expectation value of the Hamiltonian in the boson condensate state. It is shown that, by simultaneously considering both the shape and pairing collective degrees of freedom, the EDF-based IBM successfully reproduces data on collective structures based on low-energy $0^{+}$ states, as well as $\gamma$-vibrational bands., Comment: 18 pages, 14 figures, 6 tables

The onset of octupole deformation and its impact on related spectroscopic properties is studied in even-even neutron-rich lanthanide isotopes Xe, Ba, Ce, and Nd with neutron number $86\leqslant N\leqslant 94$. Microscopic input comes from the Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov approximation with constrains on the axially symmetric quadrupole and octupole operators using the Gogny-D1M interaction. At the mean-field level, reflection asymmetric ground states are predicted for isotopes with neutron number around $N=88$. Spectroscopic properties are studied by diagonalizing the interacting boson model Hamiltonian, with the parameters obtained via the mapping of the mean-field potential energy surface onto the expectation value of the Hamiltonian in the $s$, $d$, and $f$ boson condensate state. The results obtained for low-energy positive- and negative-parity excitation spectra as well as the electric dipole, quadrupole, and octupole transition probabilities indicate the onset of pronounced octupolarity for $Z\approx 56$ and $N\approx 88$ nuclei., Comment: 15 pages, 13 figures, 2 tables

In addition to shape oscillations, low-energy excitation spectra of deformed nuclei are also influenced by pairing vibrations. The simultaneous description of these collective modes and their coupling has been a long-standing problem in nuclear structure theory. Here we address the problem in terms of self-consistent mean-field calculations of collective deformation energy surfaces, and the framework of the interacting boson approximation. In addition to quadrupole shape vibrations and rotations, the explicit coupling to pairing vibrations is taken into account by a boson-number non-conserving Hamiltonian, specified by a choice of a universal density functional and pairing interaction. An illustrative calculation for $^{128}$Xe and $^{130}$Xe shows the importance of dynamical pairing degrees of freedom, especially for structures built on low-energy $0^+$ excited states, in $\gamma$-soft and triaxial nuclei., Comment: 7 pages, 4 figures

We show that the notion of partial dynamical symmetry is robust and founded on a microscopic many-body theory of nuclei. Based on the universal energy density functional framework, a general quantal boson Hamiltonian is derived and shown to have essentially the same spectroscopic character as that predicted by the partial SU(3) symmetry. The principal conclusion holds in two representative classes of energy density functionals: nonrelativistic and relativistic. The analysis is illustrated in application to the axially-deformed nucleus $^{168}$Er., Comment: 7 pages, 3 figures, 1 table

The evolution of quadrupole and octupole collectivity and their coupling is investigated in a series of even-even isotopes of the actinide Ra, Th, U, Pu, Cm, and Cf with neutron number in the interval $130\leqslant N\leqslant 150$. The Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov approximation, based on the parametrization D1M of the Gogny energy density functional, is employed to generate potential energy surfaces depending upon the axially-symmetric quadrupole and octupole shape degrees of freedom. The mean-field energy surface is then mapped onto the expectation value of the $sdf$ interacting-boson-model Hamiltonian in the boson condensate state as to determine the strength parameters of the boson Hamiltonian. Spectroscopic properties related to the octupole degree of freedom are produced by diagonalizing the mapped Hamiltonian. Calculated low-energy negative-parity spectra, $B(E3;3^{-}_{1}\to 0^{+}_{1})$ reduced transition rates, and effective octupole deformation suggest that the transition from nearly spherical to stable octupole-deformed, and to octupole vibrational states occurs systematically in the actinide region., Comment: 12 pages, 12 figures

Octupole deformations and related collective excitations are analyzed using the framework of nuclear density functional theory. Axially-symmetric quadrupole-octupole constrained self-consistent mean-field (SCMF) calculations with a choice of universal energy density functional and a pairing interaction are performed for Xe, Ba, and Ce isotopes from proton-rich to neutron-rich regions, and neutron-rich Se, Kr, and Sr isotopes, in which enhanced octupole correlations are expected to occur. Low-energy positive- and negative-parity spectra and transition strengths are computed by solving the quadrupole-octupole collective Hamiltonian, with the inertia parameters and collective potential determined by the constrained SCMF calculations. Octupole-deformed equilibrium states are found in the potential energy surfaces of the Ba and Ce isotopes with $N\approx 56$ and 88. The evolution of spectroscopic properties indicates enhanced octupole correlations in the regions corresponding to $N\approx Z\approx 56$, $Z\approx 88$ and $Z\approx 56$, and $N\approx 56$ and $Z\approx 34$. The average $\beta_{30}$ deformation parameter and its fluctuation exhibit signatures of octupole shape phase transition around $N=56$ and 88., Comment: 14 pages, 13 figures; title changed

We propose a method to incorporate the coupling between shape and pairing collective degrees of freedom in the framework of the interacting boson model (IBM), based on the nuclear density functional theory. To account for pairing vibrations, a boson-number non-conserving IBM Hamiltonian is introduced. The Hamiltonian is constructed by using solutions of self-consistent mean-field calculations based on a universal energy density functional and pairing force, with constraints on the axially-symmetric quadrupole and pairing intrinsic deformations. By mapping the resulting quadrupole-pairing potential energy surface onto the expectation value of the bosonic Hamiltonian in the boson condensate state, the strength parameters of the boson Hamiltonian are determined. An illustrative calculation is performed for $^{122}$Xe, and the method is further explored in a more systematic study of rare-earth $N=92$ isotones. The inclusion of the dynamical pairing degree of freedom significantly lowers the energies of bands based on excited $0^+$ states. The results are in quantitative agreement with spectroscopic data, and are consistent with those obtained using the collective Hamiltonian approach., Comment: 14 pages, 13 figures, 6 tables

The quadrupole-octupole coupling and the related spectroscopic properties have been studied for the even-even light actinides $^{218-238}$Ra and $^{220-240}$Th. The Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov approximation, based on the Gogny-D1M energy density functional, has been employed as a microscopic input, i.e., to obtain (axially symmetric) mean-field potential energy surfaces as functions of the quadrupole and octupole deformation parameters. The mean-field potential energy surfaces have been mapped onto the corresponding bosonic potential energy surfaces using the expectation value of the $sdf$ Interacting Boson Model (IBM) Hamiltonian in the boson condensate state. The strength parameters of the $sdf$-IBM Hamiltonian have been determined via this mapping procedure. The diagonalization of the mapped IBM Hamiltonian provides energies for positive- and negative-parity states as well as wave functions which are employed to obtain transitional strengths. The results of the calculations compare well with available data from Coulomb excitation experiments and point towards a pronounced octupole collectivity around $^{224}$Ra and $^{226}$Th., Comment: 15 pages, 10 figures, 1 table

We propose a new method to numerically calculate transition points that belongs to 2D Ising universality class for quantum spin models. Generally, near the multicritical point, in conventional methods, a finite size correction becomes very large. To suppress the effect of the multicritical point, we use a z-axis twisted boundary condition and a y-axis twisted boundary condition. We apply our method to an S = 1/2 bond-alternating XXZ model. The multicritical point of this model has a BKT transition, where the correlation length diverges singularly. However, with our method, the convergence of calculation is highly improved, thus we can calculate the transition point even near the multicritical point.

Spectroscopic properties that characterize shape phase transitions in neutron-rich odd-A Zr isotopes are investigated using the framework of nuclear density functional theory and particle-core coupling. The interacting-boson Hamiltonian of the even-even core nuclei, and the single-particle energies and occupation probabilities of the unpaired neutron are completely determined by deformation constrained self-consistent mean-field calculations based on the relativistic Hartree-Bogoliubov model with a choice of a universal energy density functional and pairing interaction. The triaxial $(\beta,\gamma)$ deformation energy surfaces for even-even $^{94-102}$Zr indicates transition from triaxial or $\gamma$-soft ($^{94,96}$Zr) to prolate ($^{98}$Zr), and triaxial ($^{100,102}$Zr) shapes. The corresponding low-energy excitation spectra of the odd-A Zr isotopes are in very good agreement with recent experimental results. Consistent with the structural evolution of the neighboring even-even Zr nuclei, the state-dependent effective deformations and their fluctuations in the odd-A isotopes indicate a pronounced discontinuity around the transitional nucleus $^{99}$Zr., Comment: 15 pages, 10 figures, 4 tables

We compute the $\beta$-decay $ft$-values within the frameworks of the energy density functional (EDF) and the interacting boson model (IBM). Based on the constrained mean-field calculation with the Gogny-D1M EDF, the IBM Hamiltonian for an even-even nucleus and essential ingredients of the interacting boson-fermion-fermion model (IBFFM) for describing the neighboring odd-odd nucleus are determined in a microscopic way. Only the boson-fermion and residual neutron-proton interaction strengths are determined empirically. The Gamow-Teller (GT) and Fermi (F) transition rates needed to compute the $\beta$-decay $ft$-values are obtained without any additional parameter or quenching of the $g_A$ factor. The observed $\ft$ values for the $\beta^+$ decays of the even-even Ba into odd-odd Cs nuclei, and of the odd-odd Cs to the even-even Xe nuclei, with mass $A\approx 130$ are reasonably well described. The predicted GT and F transition rates represent a sensitive test of the quality of the IBM and IBFFM wave functions., Comment: 10 pages, 2 figures, 4 tables. arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:1912.01846

Three-dimensional topological insulators (3D-TIs) possess a specific topological order of electronic bands, resulting in gapless surface states via bulk-edge correspondence. Exotic phenomena have been realized in ferromagnetic TIs, such as the quantum anomalous Hall (QAH) effect with a chiral edge conduction and a quantized value of the Hall resistance ${R_{yx}}$. Here, we report on the emergence of distinct topological phases in paramagnetic Fe-doped (Bi,Sb)${_2}$Se${_3}$ heterostructures with varying structure architecture, doping, and magnetic and electric fields. Starting from a 3D-TI, a two-dimensional insulator appears at layer thicknesses below a critical value, which turns into an Anderson insulator for Fe concentrations sufficiently large to produce localization by magnetic disorder. With applying a magnetic field, a topological transition from the Anderson insulator to the QAH state occurs, which is driven by the formation of an exchange gap owing to a giant Zeeman splitting and reduced magnetic disorder. Topological phase diagram of (Bi,Sb)${_2}$Se${_3}$ allows exploration of intricate interplay of topological protection, magnetic disorder, and exchange splitting., Comment: 31 pages, 4 figures and supplementary 30 pages, 11 figures

The low-energy excitations and $\beta$ decays of odd-A nuclei are studied within the interacting boson-fermion model (IBFM), based on the Gogny-D1M nuclear energy density functional (EDF). The constrained Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov (HFB) approximation is employed to compute potential energy surfaces in terms of triaxial quadrupole degrees of freedom for even-even Xe and Ba nuclei in the mass $A\approx 130$ region. The mean field approximation also provides spherical single-particle energies and occupation probabilities for the neighboring odd-A nuclei. Those quantities represent a microscopic input for spectroscopic calculations in odd-A Xe and Ba, Cs and La isotopes. The Gamow-Teller (GT) and Fermi (F) transition matrix elements, needed to compute $\beta$-decay $\log{ft}$ values are obtained without any phenomenological fitting. It is shown that both the low-lying states and $\beta$ decays of the studied odd-A systems are described reasonably well within the employed theoretical framework., Comment: 15 pages, 8 figures, 6 tables; to be published in Phys. Rev. C

Quantum fluctuations originating phase competition or geometrical frustration of spins lead to novel states such as a quantum critical point and a quantum spin liquid where the strong quantum fluctuations suppress any ordered states even at 0 K. Utilizing site-selective NMR for a quasi-two dimensional organic conductor $\lambda$-(STF)$_2$GaCl$_4$, we investigate the non-magnetic insulating phase of the stripe lattice system consisting of triangular and square tilings. We found development of AF spin fluctuations with decreasing temperature. Regardless of large enhancement of spin-lattice relaxation rate $1/T_1$ owing to critical slowing down below 10 K, no long-range magnetic ordering was observed down to 1.63 K two orders of magnitude less than the exchange interaction $J/k_{\rm B} \simeq$ 194 K. Moreover, $1/T_1$ saturated below 3.5 K. These results are in stark contrast to observed behaviors so far in other non-magnetic ground states discussed in terms of spin liquids, demonstrating realization of an exotic quantum state accompanying quantum criticality., Comment: 8 pages, 7 figures

The spectroscopic properties of the odd-odd isotopes $^{124-132}$Cs have been studied within the interacting boson-fermion-fermion model based on the Gogny-D1M energy density functional framework. Major ingredients to build the interacting boson-fermion-fermion Hamiltonian, such as the ($\beta,\gamma$)-deformation energy surfaces for the even-even core nuclei $^{124-132}$Xe as well as single-particle energies and occupation probabilities of the odd nucleons, have been computed microscopically with the constrained Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov method. A few coupling constants of the boson-fermion and residual neutron-proton interactions are fitted to reproduce with a reasonable accuracy the experimental excitation energy of the low-lying levels of the odd-mass and odd-odd nuclei. The method is applied to describe the low-energy low-spin spectra of the odd-odd Cs nuclei and the band structures of higher-spin higher-energy states, mainly based on the $(\nu h_{11/2})^{-1}\otimes\pi h_{11/2}$ configuration. Many of those odd-odd Cs nuclei have been identified as candidates for exhibiting chiral doublet bands., Comment: 18 pages, 18 figures, 4 tables; to appear in Phys. Rev. C

We present a method to calculate spectroscopic properties of odd-odd nuclei within the framework of the Interacting Boson-Fermion-Fermion Model based on the Gogny energy density functional. The $(\beta,\gamma)$-deformation energy surface of the even-even (boson-)core nucleus, spherical single-particle energies and occupation probabilities of the odd neutron and odd proton, are provided by the constrained self-consistent mean-field calculation within the Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov method with the Gogny-D1M functional. These quantities are used as a microscopic input to fix most of the parameters of the IBFFM Hamiltonian. Only a few coupling constants for the boson-fermion Hamiltonian and the residual neutron-proton interaction are specifically adjusted to reproduce experimental low-energy spectra in odd-mass and odd-odd nuclei, respectively. In this way, the number of free parameters involved in the IBFFM framework is reduced significantly. The method is successfully applied to the description of the low-energy spectra and electromagnetic transition rates in the odd-odd $^{194,196,198}$Au nuclei., Comment: 11 pages, 5 figures, 9 tables

Two-neutron transfer reactions are studied within the interacting boson model based on the nuclear energy density functional theory. Constrained self-consistent mean-field calculations with the Skyrme energy density functional are performed to provide microscopic input to completely determine the Hamiltonian of the IBM. Spectroscopic properties are calculated only from the nucleonic degrees of freedom. This method is applied to study the $(t,p)$ and $(p,t)$ transfer reactions in the assorted set of rare-earth nuclei $^{146-158}$Sm, $^{148-160}$Gd, and $^{150-162}$Dy, where spherical-to-axially-deformed shape phase transition is suggested to occur at the neutron number $N\approx 90$. The results are compared with those from the purely phenomenological IBM calculations, as well as with the available experimental data. The calculated $(t,p)$ and $(p,t)$ transfer reaction intensities, from both the microscopic and phenomenological IBM frameworks, signal the rapid nuclear structural change at particular nucleon numbers., Comment: 12 pages, 12 figures, 2 tables

The low-lying structure of neutron-rich odd-mass Kr isotopes is studied within the interacting boson-fermion model (IBFM) based on the Gogny-D1M energy density functional (EDF). The $(\beta,\gamma)$-deformation energy surfaces, spherical single-particle energies and occupation probabilities of the odd-mass systems are obtained using the constrained Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov (HFB) approximation. Those quantities are used as a microscopic input to determine most of the parameters of the IBFM Hamiltonian. The remaining parameters are specifically tailored to the experimental spectrum for each of the studied odd-mass nuclei. A gradual structural evolution is predicted for the odd-mass isotopes $^{87-95}$Kr as a function of the nucleon number which, agrees well with the gradual growth of collectivity observed experimentally in the neighboring even-even isotopes., Comment: 9 pages, 11 figures, 2 tables

We investigate the prolate-to-oblate shape phase transitions in the neutron-rich Pt, Os and Ir nuclei in the mass $A\approx 190$ region. The Hamiltonian of the interacting boson-fermion model, used to describe the odd-mass $^{185-199}$Pt, $^{185-193}$Os and $^{185-195}$Ir isotopes, is partially constructed by using as a microscopic input the results of constrained self-consistent mean-field calculations within the Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov method with the Gogny force. The remaining few parameters are adjusted to experimental data in the odd systems. In this way the calculations reasonably describe the spectroscopic properties of the odd-mass systems considered. Several calculated observables for the odd-mass nuclei, especially the low-energy excitation spectra and the effective deformation parameters, point to a prolate-oblate shape transition as a function of the neutron number for all the isotopic chains considered and similar to the one already observed in the neighboring even-even systems., Comment: 12 pages, 17 figures, 3 tables

The structure of even-even $^{108-116}$Cd isotopes is investigated based on the self-consistent mean-field approach. By mapping the quadrupole-$(\beta,\gamma)$ deformation energy surface, obtained from the constrained self-consistent mean-field calculations with a choice of the Skyrme force and pairing property, onto the Hamiltonian of the interacting boson model with configuration mixing, the strength parameters of the Hamiltonian are determined. The low-lying excitation spectra and electric quadrupole transition rates for the considered Cd nuclei are computed by the resultant Hamiltonian, and are compared in detail with the experimental data. Our semi-microscopic prediction identifies several intruder states as suggested empirically, and overall, provides a reasonable qualitative description of the experimental energy levels and transition rates., Comment: 9 pages, 4 figures, 4 tables

Octupole deformation and the relevant spectroscopic properties of neutron-rich odd-mass barium isotopes are investigated in a theoretical framework based on nuclear density functional theory and the particle-core coupling scheme. The interacting-boson Hamiltonian that describes the octupole-deformed even-even core nucleus, as well as the single-particle energies and occupation probabilities of an unpaired nucleon, are completely determined by microscopic axially-symmetric $(\beta_{2},\beta_{3})$-deformation constrained self-consistent mean-field calculations for a specific choice of the energy density functional and pairing interaction. A boson-fermion interaction that involves both quadrupole and octupole degrees of freedom is introduced, and their strength parameters are determined to reproduce selected spectroscopic data for the odd-mass nuclei. The model reproduces recent experimental results both for the even-even and odd-mass Ba isotopes. In particular, for $^{145,147}$Ba our results indicate, in agreement with recent data, that octupole deformation does not determine the structure of the lowest states in the vicinity of the ground state, and only becomes relevant at higher excitation energies., Comment: 10 pages, 7 figures, 9 tables

The interacting boson-fermion model (IBFM), with parameters determined from the microscopic Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov (HFB) approximation, based on the parametrization D1M of the Gogny energy density functional (EDF), is employed to study the structural evolution in odd-mass $\gamma$-soft nuclei. The deformation energy surfaces of even-even nuclei, single-particle energies and occupation probabilities of the corresponding odd-mass systems have been obtained within the constrained HFB approach. Those building blocks are then used as a microscopic input to build the IBFM Hamiltonian. The coupling constants of the boson-fermion interaction terms are taken as free parameters, fitted to reproduce experimental low-lying spectra. The diagonalization of the IBFM Hamiltonian provides the spectroscopic properties for the studied odd-mass nuclei. The procedure has been applied to compute low-energy excitation spectra and electromagnetic transition rates, in the case of the $\gamma$-soft odd-mass systems $^{129-137}$Ba, $^{127-135}$Xe, $^{129-137}$La and $^{127-135}$Cs. The calculations provide a reasonable agreement with the available experimental data and agree well with previous results based on the relativistic mean-field approximation., Comment: 14 pages, 20 figures, 8 tables

Background: The interacting boson model (IBM) has been used extensively to calculate the matrix elements governing neutrinoless double-beta decay. Studies within other models indicate that a good description of neutron-proton pairing is essential for accurate calculations of those matrix elements. The usual interacting boson model is based only on like-particle pairs, however, and the extent to which it captures neutron-proton pairing is not clear. Purpose: To determine whether neutron-proton pairing should be explicitly included as neutron-proton bosons in IBM calculations of neutrinoless double-beta decay matrix elements. Method: An isospin-invariant version of the nucleon-pair shell model is applied to carry out shell-model calculations in a large space and in a collective subspace, and to define effective operators in the latter. A democratic mapping is then used to define corresponding boson operators for the IBM, with and without an isoscalar neutron-proton pair boson. Results: IBM calculations with and without the isoscalar boson are carried out for nuclei near the beginning of the $pf$ shell, with a realistic shell-model Hamiltonian and neutrinoless double-beta-decay operator as the starting point. Energy spectra and double-beta matrix elements are compared to those obtained in the underlying shell model. Conclusions: The isoscalar boson does not improve energy spectra but does improve double-beta matrix elements. To be useful at the level of precision we need, the mapping procedure must be further developed to better determine the dependence of the boson Hamiltonian and decay operator on particle number and isospin. But the benefits provided by the isoscalar boson suggest that through an appropriate combination of mappings and fitting, it would make IBM matrix elements more accurate for the heavier nuclei used in experiments., Comment: 17 pages, 8 figures

The evolution and coexistence of the nuclear shapes as well as the corresponding low-lying collective states and electromagnetic transition rates are investigated along the Krypton isotopic chain within the framework of the interacting boson model (IBM). The IBM Hamiltonian is determined through mean-field calculations based on the several parametrizations of the Gogny energy density functional and the relativistic mean-field Lagrangian. The mean-field energy surfaces, as functions of the axial $\beta$ and triaxial $\gamma$ quadrupole deformations, are mapped onto the expectation value of the interacting-boson Hamiltonian that explicitly includes the particle-hole excitations. The resulting boson Hamiltonian is then used to compute low-energy excitation spectra as well as E2 and E0 transition probabilities for $^{70-100}$Kr. Our results point to a number of examples of the prolate-oblate shape transitions and coexistence both on the neutron-deficient and neutron-rich sides. A reasonable agreement with the available experimental data is obtained for the considered nuclear properties., Comment: 13 pages, 9 figures, 2 tables

Spectroscopic properties of odd-mass nuclei are studied within the framework of the interacting boson-fermion model (IBFM) with parameters based on the Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov (HFB) approximation. The parametrization D1M of the Gogny energy density functional (EDF) has been used at the mean-field level to obtain the deformation energy surfaces for the considered nuclei in terms of the quadrupole deformations ($\beta,\gamma$). In addition to the energy surfaces, both single particle energies and occupation probabilities have been used as a microscopic input for building the IBFM Hamiltonian. Only three strength parameters for the particle-boson-core coupling are fitted to experimental spectra. The IBFM Hamiltonian is then used to compute the energy spectra and electromagnetic transition rates for selected odd-mass Eu and Sm nuclei as well as for $^{195}$Pt and $^{195}$Au. A reasonable agreement with the available experimental data is obtained for the considered odd-mass nuclei., Comment: 14 pages, 16 figures, 9 tables

Quantum phase transitions between competing equilibrium shapes of nuclei with an odd number of nucleons are explored using a microscopic framework of nuclear energy density functionals and a particle-boson core coupling model. The boson Hamiltonian for the even-even core nucleus, as well as the spherical single-particle energies and occupation probabilities of unpaired nucleons, are completely determined by a constrained self-consistent mean-field calculation for a specific choice of the energy density functional and pairing interaction. Only the strength parameters of the particle-core coupling have to be adjusted to reproduce a few empirical low-energy spectroscopic properties of the corresponding odd-mass system. The model is applied to the odd-A Ba, Xe, La and Cs isotopes with mass $A\approx 130$, for which the corresponding even-even Ba and Xe nuclei present a typical case of $\gamma$-soft nuclear potential. The theoretical results reproduce the experimental low-energy excitation spectra and electromagnetic properties, and confirm that a phase transition between nearly spherical and $\gamma$-soft nuclear shapes occurs also in the odd-A systems., Comment: 13 pages, 15 figures, 9 tables

The shape transitions and shape coexistence in the Ge and Se isotopes are studied within the interacting boson model (IBM) with the microscopic input from the self-consistent mean-field calculation based on the Gogny-D1M energy density functional. The mean-field energy surface as a function of the quadrupole shape variables $\beta$ and $\gamma$, obtained from the constrained Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov method, is mapped onto the expectation value of the IBM Hamiltonian with configuration mixing in the boson condensate state. The resultant Hamiltonian is used to compute excitation energies and electromagnetic properties of the selected nuclei $^{66-94}$Ge and $^{68-96}$Se. Our calculation suggests that many nuclei exhibit $\gamma$ softness. Coexistence between prolate and oblate, as well as between spherical and $\gamma$-soft, shapes is also observed. The method provides a reasonable description of the observed systematics of the excitation energy of the low-lying energy levels and transition strengths for nuclei below the neutron shell closure $N=50$, and provides predictions on the spectroscopy of neutron-rich Ge and Se isotopes with $52\leq N\leq 62$, where data are scarce or not available., Comment: 16 pages, 20 figures

Quantum phase transitions between competing ground-state shapes of atomic nuclei with an odd number of protons or neutrons are investigated in a microscopic framework based on nuclear energy density functional theory and the particle-plus-boson-core coupling scheme. The boson-core Hamiltonian, as well as the single-particle energies and occupation probabilities of the unpaired nucleon, are completely determined by constrained self-consistent mean-field calculations for a specific choice of the energy density functional and paring interaction, and only the strength parameters of the particle-core coupling are adjusted to reproduce selected spectroscopic properties of the odd-mass system. We apply this method to odd-A Eu and Sm isotopes with neutron number $N \approx 90$, and explore the influence of the single unpaired fermion on the occurrence of a shape phase transition. Collective wave functions of low-energy states are used to compute quantities that can be related to quantum order parameters: deformations, excitation energies, E2 transition rates and separation energies, and their evolution with the control parameter (neutron number) is analysed., Comment: 15 pages, 13 figures; Accepted for publication in Phys. Rev. C

The structure of even-even neutron-rich Ru, Mo, Zr and Sr nuclei in the $A\approx 100$ mass region is studied within the interacting boson model (IBM) with microscopic input from the self-consistent mean-field approximation based on the Gogny-D1M energy density functional. The deformation energy surface in the quadrupole deformation space $(\beta,\gamma)$, computed within the constrained Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov framework, is mapped onto the expectation value of the appropriately chosen IBM Hamiltonian with configuration mixing in the boson condensate state. The mapped IBM Hamiltonian is used to study the spectroscopic properties of $^{98-114}$Ru, $^{96-112}$Mo, $^{94-110}$Zr and $^{92-108}$Sr. Several cases of $\gamma$-soft behavior are predicted in Ru and Mo nuclei while a pronounced coexistence between strongly-prolate and weakly-oblate deformed shapes is found for Zr and Sr nuclei. The method describes well the evolution of experimental yrast and non-yrast states as well as selected $B$(E2) transition probabilities., Comment: 20 pages, 23 figures, 1 table; To be published in Phys. Rev. C

A novel method for calculating spectroscopic properties of medium-mass and heavy atomic nuclei with an odd number of nucleons is introduced, based on the framework of nuclear energy density functional theory and the particle-core coupling scheme. The deformation energy surface of the even-even core, as well as the spherical single-particle energies and occupation probabilities of the odd particle(s), are obtained in a self-consistent mean-field calculation determined by the choice of the energy density functional and pairing interaction. This method uniquely determines the parameters of the Hamiltonian of the boson core, and only the strength of the particle-core coupling is specifically adjusted to selected data for a particular nucleus. The approach is illustrated in a systematic study of low-energy excitation spectra and transition rates of axially deformed odd-mass Eu isotopes., Comment: 8 pages, 6 figures, 2 tables