Nuclear charge densities in spherical and deformed nuclei: towards precise calculations of charge radii

Abstract

Background: Precise measurements of atomic transitions affected by electron-nucleus hyperfine interactions offer sensitivity to explore basic properties of the atomic nucleus and study fundamental symmetries, including the search for new physics beyond the Standard Model of particle physics. Such measurements impose higher precision requirements on a theoretical description. Purpose: The nuclear charge density is composed of the proton point distribution folded with the nucleonic charge distributions. The latter induce subtle relativistic corrections due to the coupling of nucleon magnetic moments with the nuclear spin-orbit density. We assess the precision of nuclear charge density calculations by studying the behavior of relativistic corrections. Methods: The calculations are performed using Skyrme energy density functionals and density-dependent pairing force. We used the general expression for the spin-orbit form factor that is valid for spherical and deformed nuclei. Results: We studied the impact of various correction terms on the charge radii, fourth radial moments, diffraction radii, and surface thickness of spherical and deformed nuclei. The spin-orbit corrections to charge radial moments and surface thickness show strong shell fluctuations which impact high-precision predictions of isotopic shifts. Conclusions: To establish reliable constraints on the existence of new forces from isotope shift measurements,precise calculations of nuclear charge densities of deformed nuclei are needed. The proper inclusion of the spin-orbit charge density and other correction terms is essential when aiming at extraction of subtle effects which become particularly visible in isotopic trends.