Clustering in superheavy nuclei within the relativistic mean field approach

Abstract

The clustering phenomenon in superheavy nuclei is studied within the relativistic mean field approach by using the axially deformed harmonic oscillator basis. The standard BCS pairing scheme is adopted for taking the pairing interaction into account. The calculated ground and intrinsic excited state properties, and the nucleon and total matter densities, as well as the proton–neutron asymmetry distributions, are analysed to look for cluster configurations and/or exotic clusters in superheavy nuclei. We have applied our method to Z = 120, N = 172–184 nuclei. A new ‘bubble’-like structure for the Z = 120, N = 172, 292120 nucleus as signatures of doubly closed shells and a two-cluster configuration for the Z = 120, N = 184, 304120 nucleus are some of the interesting results obtained. New possibilities of exotic clusters at the centre of superheavy nuclei are also indicated.