Covariant density functional description of shape phase transitions and shape coexistence in heavy nuclei

Abstract

The phenomena of shape phase transitions and shape coexistence in even-even heavy nuclei are analysed within the covariant density functional framework. Spectroscopic observables that characterize low-lying collective excitations associated with order parameters are computed using the corresponding generalized microscopic collective Hamiltonians with deformations as dynamical collective coordinates. The parameters of the Hamiltonians are determined by relativistic Hartree-Bogoliubov calculations based on the energy density functional DD-PC1, and a finite-range pairing interaction.