Semiclassical origin of nuclear ground-state octupole deformations

Abstract

Background: Ground-state octupole deformations are suggested in nuclei located in the north-east neighbor of the doubly magic nuclei on the nuclear chart (N,Z), such as those in Ba and Ra-Th regions. This systematics has been attributed to the parity mixing of the approximately degenerate Delta l=3 pair of single-particle levels near the Fermi surface. Purpose: Nuclear deformations are governed in most cases by the gross shell structures of the single-particle spectra. I will consider the systematics in octupole deformation from the view point of the gross shell structure, and investigate the mechanism of its manifestation using the semiclassical periodic-orbit theory (POT), which describes the quantum shell effect by means of the periodic orbits (POs) in the corresponding classical system. Methods: To focus on the role of deformation, simplified infinite-well (cavity) and radial power-law potential models are employed taking account of quadrupole and octupole shape degrees of freedom. Nuclear ground-state deformations are investigated over the nuclear chart, and the properties of the deformed shell structures are analyzed by means of the semiclassical POT. Results and conclusions: The systematics in nuclear ground-state octupole deformations are reproduced in simplified mean-field potential models either with or without parity mixing between Delta l=3 pair of levels. The strong octupole deformed shell effect at above the spherical shell closures are explained simply and clearly using the semiclassical POT. They are associated with the local restoration of dynamical symmetry, which enhance the contribution of classical POs to the gross shell effect.