Abstract
The nuclear symmetry energy represents a response to the neutron-proton asymmetry. In this survey we discuss various aspects of symmetry energy in the framework of nuclear density functional theory, considering both non-relativistic and relativistic self-consistent mean-field realizations side-by-side. Key observables pertaining to bulk nucleonic matter and finite nuclei are reviewed. Constraints on the symmetry energy and correlations between observables and symmetry-energy parameters, using statistical covariance analysis, are investigated. Perspectives for future work are outlined in the context of ongoing experimental efforts.
Highlights
Density Functional Theory (DFT) is a universal approach used to describe properties of complex, strongly correlated many-body systems
Key observables pertaining to bulk nucleonic matter and finite nuclei are reviewed
Extending the DFT to atomic nuclei, the nuclear DFT, is not straightforward as nuclei are self-bound, small, superfluid aggregations of two kinds of fermions, governed by strong surface effects. Their smallness leads to appreciable quantal fluctuations which are difficult to incorporate into the energy density functional (EDF)
Summary
Density Functional Theory (DFT) is a universal approach used to describe properties of complex, strongly correlated many-body systems. A key quantity characterizing the interaction in the isovector channel is the nuclear symmetry energy (NSE) describing the static response of the nucleus to the neutron-proton asymmetry As discussed in this Topical Issue, the NSE influences a broad spectrum of phenomena, ranging from subtle isospin mixing effects in N ∼ Z nuclei to particle stability of neutron-rich nuclei, to nuclear collective modes, and to radii and masses of neutron stars. This apparent drawback can be turned into an advantage, as the symmetry breaking mechanism allows to incorporate many inter-nucleon correlations within a single product state or, alternatively, within a single-reference DFT sacrificing good quantum numbers; broken symmetries have to be restored a posteriori We will address this topic using the example of isospin mixing which naturally has an impact on isovector properties.
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