Pseudospin symmetry in finite nuclei within the relativistic Hartree–Fock framework

Abstract

In the present work, we analyse the behaviour of the pseudospin symmetry (PSS) in heavy nuclei (208Pb) in the framework of the relativistic Hartree–Fock approximation (RHFA). The quasidegeneracy of the pseudospin partners and the similarity of the small F components of their respective Dirac spinors have a somewhat lower degree of accuracy than in the relativistic mean field approximation (RMFA). Both properties improve when the number of nodes of the small component increases, as happens in the RMFA. The behaviour of the single-particle potentials appearing in the Dirac equation of the pseudospin partners is analysed. There is no dominance of the pseudocentrifugal barrier (PCB) compared to the pseudospin-orbit potential (PSOP). In the RHFA, the PSS is an approximately satisfied symmetry in nuclei and its dynamical character is reinforced with respect to the RMFA.