Moment of inertia for pair rotation: Interplay between order parameter and shell structure

Abstract

[Background] Pair condensation in finite nuclei generates a collective motion known as pair rotation. The moment of inertia of pair rotation (P-MoI) has been used as an indicator of pair condensation. [Purpose] We aim to elucidate the fundamental properties of the P-MoI, particularly its dependence on the particle number and the order parameter. [Method] The P-MoI was evaluated using the Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer (BCS) calculations with a monopole pairing Hamiltonian and Skyrme density functional theory calculations with different density-dependent pairing energy density functionals. [Results] In open-shell nuclei, a negative correlation was found between the P-MoI and the pair amplitude, which is the order parameter for the transition from the normal phase to the superconducting phase. Analysis based on the decomposition of the P-MoI into the orbital contributions within the BCS approximation shows that its orbital dependence is very similar to that of the pairing gap. [Conclusions] The P-MoI reflects the influence of both the level density near the Fermi energy and the pair amplitude.