Clustering in nuclei at finite temperature

Abstract

We investigate the localization and clustering features in 20 Ne (N = Z) and neutron-rich 32 Ne nuclei at zero and finite temperatures. The finite temperature Hartree-Bogoliubov theory is used with the relativistic density-dependent meson-nucleon coupling functional DD-ME2. It is shown that clustering features gradually weaken with increasing temperature and disappear when the shape phase transition occurs. Considering thermal fluctuations in the density profiles, the clustering features vanish at lower temperatures, compared to the case without thermal fluctuations. The effect of the pairing correlations on the nucleon localization and the formation of cluster structures are also studied at finite temperatures. Due to the inclusion of pairing in the calculations, cluster structures are preserved until the critical temperatures for the shape phase transition are reached. Above the critical temperature of the shape phase transition, the clustering features suddenly disappear, which differs from the results without pairing.

Global properties of nuclei at finite-temperature within the covariant energy density functional theory

“…On the other hand, results at finitetemperature are somewhat more scarce, restricted to selected nuclei and observables. The investigation was performed on the temperature dependence of neutron-skin thickness [32], the evolution of pairing gaps with temperature [33,34], the influence of temperature on fission barriers [35,36], as well as clustering phenomena [37], while the Bonche-Levit-Vautherin (BLV) vapor subtraction was only considered in calculating the neutron emission lifetimes [38] and the properties of some selected nuclei [39]. Recently, a global study of finite-temperature properties has been performed across the nuclide chart within the nonrelativistic EDF, however, without treatment of the continuum [40].…”