Nuclear shape evolution of neutron-deficient Au and kink structure of Pb isotopes

Abstract

Recent experiments using advanced laser spectroscopy technique revealed that the charge radii of neutron-deficient gold (Au) isotopes exhibit significant changes in ground state deformation: odd-even shape staggering in the $N = 98 \sim 100$ region and abrupt change of charge radii from $N =$ 108. In this study, we examine the abnormal shape evolution of the nuclear charge radii. To understand the nuclear structure underlying this phenomenon, we exploit the deformed relativistic Hartree-Bogoliubov theory in continuum (DRHBc). The significant change in mean-squared charge radii ($δ{< r^2 >}$) turns out to originate from nuclear shape transitions between prolate deformation and small oblate deformation due to the shape coexistence possibility. We elucidate the nuclear shape evolution by analyzing the evolution of occupation probability for single-particle states. In addition, the abrupt kink structure in the nuclear charge radius of lead (Pb) isotopes near the $N =$ 126 shell is also investigated and reproduced quite well.