Magic numbers for superheavy nuclei in relativistic continuum Hartree–Bogoliubov theory

Abstract

The magic proton and neutron numbers are searched in the superheavy region with proton number Z = 100 – 140 and neutron number N = ( Z + 30 ) – ( 2 Z + 32 ) in the relativistic continuum Hartree–Bogoliubov (RCHB) theory with effective interactions NL1, NL3, NLSH, TM1, TW99, DD-ME1, PK1, and PK1R. Based on the two-nucleon separation energies S 2 p and S 2 n , the two-nucleon gaps δ 2 p and δ 2 n , the shell correction energies E shell p and E shell n , the pairing energies E pair p and E pair n , and the pairing gaps Δ p and Δ n , Z = 120 , 132, and 138 and N = 172 , 184, 198, 228, 238, and 258 are suggested to be the magic numbers within the present approach. The α-decay half-lives are also discussed. In addition, the potential energy surfaces of possible doubly magic nuclei are obtained by using the deformation-constrained relativistic mean field (RMF) theory, and the shell effects stabilizing nuclei are investigated.