Relativistic Random-phase Approximation Research Articles

Axially deformed relativistic quasiparticle random-phase approximation based on point-coupling interactions

Axially deformed relativistic quasiparticle random-phase approximation based on point-coupling interactions

Cooper minima in high-Z atoms: effects of correlation and relativity on np photoionization

Photoionization dipole transition matrix elements pass through a zero or attain a minimum that leaves imprints on photoionization parameters like the cross-section, angular distribution asymmetry parameter, phase shift, and photoionization time delay. This minimum is commonly known as the ‘Cooper minimum’ (CM). The CM, in general, is strongly affected by relativistic and correlation effects. Previous works investigated CM in the 6p and 5p subshell photoionization up to Z = 100 using the single-particle Dirac-Slater (DS) method. The present work extends the earlier work to Z up to 120 using more accurate methods; Dirac–Hartree–Fock (DHF) which includes the relativistic effects and exchange correlations, and the relativistic random phase approximation (RRPA) which includes both initial and final state electron-electron correlations along with relativistic effects. In addition to the study of photoionization from the 6p and 5p subshells, the 4p subshell has also been investigated in the present work. To demonstrate the prominent effects in the high-Z atoms, Rn (Z = 86), Ra (Z = 88), No (Z = 102), Cn (Z = 112), Og (Z = 118), and Ubn (Z = 120) are investigated.

Application of relativistic continuum random phase approximation to giant dipole resonance of $$^{208}$$Pb and $$^{132}$$Sn

Application of relativistic continuum random phase approximation to giant dipole resonance of $$^{208}$$Pb and $$^{132}$$Sn

Electric dipole transitions in the relativistic quasiparticle random-phase approximation at finite temperature

Electric dipole transitions in the relativistic quasiparticle random-phase approximation at finite temperature

Isoscalar giant resonances of <inline-formula><tex-math id="M1">\begin{document}$^{{\bf{18}}}_{{\boldsymbol{\Lambda\Lambda}}}{\bf{O}}$\end{document}</tex-math><alternatives><graphic xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="4-20231531_M1.jpg"/><graphic xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="4-20231531_M1.png"/></alternatives></inline-formula> in relativistic approach

The interactions between hyperon-nucleon and hyperon-hyperon have been an important topic in strangeness nuclear physics, which play an important role in understanding the properties of hypernuclei and equation of state of strangeness nuclear matter. It is very difficult to perform a direct scattering experiment of the nucleon and hyperon because the short lifetime of the hyperon. Therefore, the hyperon-nucleon interaction and the hyperon-hyperon interaction have been mainly investigated experimentally by <inline-formula><tex-math id="M4">\begin{document}$\gamma$\end{document}</tex-math><alternatives><graphic xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="4-20231531_M4.jpg"/><graphic xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="4-20231531_M4.png"/></alternatives></inline-formula> spectroscopy of single-<inline-formula><tex-math id="M5">\begin{document}$\Lambda$\end{document}</tex-math><alternatives><graphic xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="4-20231531_M5.jpg"/><graphic xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="4-20231531_M5.png"/></alternatives></inline-formula> hypernuclei or double-<inline-formula><tex-math id="M6">\begin{document}$\Lambda$\end{document}</tex-math><alternatives><graphic xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="4-20231531_M6.jpg"/><graphic xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="4-20231531_M6.png"/></alternatives></inline-formula> hypernuclei. There are also many theoretical methods developed to describe the properties of hypernuclei. Most of these models focus mostly on the ground state properties of hypernuclei, and have given exciting results in producing the banding energy, the energy of single-particle levels, deformations, and other properties of hypernuclei. Only a few researches adopting Skyrme energy density functionals is devoted to the study of the collective excitation properties of hypernuclei. In present work, we have extended the relativistic mean field and relativistic random phase approximation theories to study the collective excitation properties of hypernuclei, and use the methods to study the isoscalar collective excited state properties of double <inline-formula><tex-math id="M7">\begin{document}$\Lambda$\end{document}</tex-math><alternatives><graphic xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="4-20231531_M7.jpg"/><graphic xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="4-20231531_M7.png"/></alternatives></inline-formula> hypernuclei. First, the effect of <inline-formula><tex-math id="M8">\begin{document}$\Lambda$\end{document}</tex-math><alternatives><graphic xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="4-20231531_M8.jpg"/><graphic xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="4-20231531_M8.png"/></alternatives></inline-formula> hyperons on the single-particle energy of <sup>16</sup>O and <inline-formula><tex-math id="M9">\begin{document}$^{18}_{\Lambda\Lambda}{\rm{O}}$\end{document}</tex-math><alternatives><graphic xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="4-20231531_M9.jpg"/><graphic xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="4-20231531_M9.png"/></alternatives></inline-formula> are discussed in the relativistic mean field theory, the calculations are performed within TM1 parameter set and related hyperon-nucleon interaction, and hyperon-hyperon interaction. We find that it gives a larger attractive effect on the <inline-formula><tex-math id="M10">\begin{document}${{\mathrm{s}}}_{1/2}$\end{document}</tex-math><alternatives><graphic xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="4-20231531_M10.jpg"/><graphic xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="4-20231531_M10.png"/></alternatives></inline-formula> state of proton and neutron, while gives a weaker attractive effect on the state around Fermi surface. The self-consistent relativistic random phase approximation is used to study the collectively excited state properties of hypernucleus <inline-formula><tex-math id="M11">\begin{document}$^{18}_{\Lambda\Lambda}{\rm{O}}$\end{document}</tex-math><alternatives><graphic xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="4-20231531_M11.jpg"/><graphic xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="4-20231531_M11.png"/></alternatives></inline-formula>. The isoscalar giant monopole resonance and quadrupole resonance are calculated and analysed in detail, we pay more attention to the effect of the inclusion of <inline-formula><tex-math id="M12">\begin{document}$\Lambda$\end{document}</tex-math><alternatives><graphic xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="4-20231531_M12.jpg"/><graphic xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="4-20231531_M12.png"/></alternatives></inline-formula> hyperons on the properties of giant resonances. Comparing with the strength distributions of <sup>16</sup>O, changes of response function of <inline-formula><tex-math id="M13">\begin{document}$^{18}_{\Lambda\Lambda}{\rm{O}}$\end{document}</tex-math><alternatives><graphic xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="4-20231531_M13.jpg"/><graphic xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="4-20231531_M13.png"/></alternatives></inline-formula> are evidently found both on the isoscalar giant monopole resonance and quadrupole resonance. It is shown that the difference comes mainly from the change of Hartree energy of particle-hole configuration and the contribution of the excitations of <inline-formula><tex-math id="M14">\begin{document}$\Lambda$\end{document}</tex-math><alternatives><graphic xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="4-20231531_M14.jpg"/><graphic xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="4-20231531_M14.png"/></alternatives></inline-formula> hyperons. We find that the hyperon-hyperon residual interactions have small effect on the monopole resonance function and quadrupole response function in the low-energy region, and have almost no effect on the response functions in the high-energy region.

Attosecond Time Delay Trends across the Isoelectronic Noble Gas Sequence

The analysis and measurement of Wigner time delays can provide detailed information about the electronic environment within and around atomic and molecular systems, with one the key differences being the lack of a long-range potential after a halogen ion undergoes photoionization. In this work, we use relativistic random-phase approximation to calculate the average Wigner delay from the highest occupied subshells of the atomic pairings (2p, 2s in Fluorine, Neon), (3p, 3s in Chlorine, Argon), (4p, 4s, 3d, in Bromine, Krypton), and (5p, 5s, 4d in Iodine, Xenon). The qualitative behaviors of the Wigner delays between the isoelectronic pairings were found to be similar in nature, with the only large differences occurring at photoelectron energies less than 20 eV and around Cooper minima. Interestingly, the relative shift in Wigner time delays between negatively charged halogens and noble gases decreases as atomic mass increases. All atomic pairings show large differences at low energies, with noble gas atoms showing large positive Wigner delays, while negatively charged halogen ions show negative delays. The implications for photoionization studies in halide-containing molecules is also discussed.

Magnetic quadrupole transitions in the relativistic energy density functional theory

Magnetic quadrupole (M2) excitation represents a fundamental feature in atomic nucleus associated to nuclear magnetism induced by spin and orbital transition operator. Since it has only been investigated within the non-relativistic theoretical approaches, and available experimental data are rather limited, it is interesting to study the properties of M2 transitions using the framework of relativistic nuclear energy density functional. In this work the nuclear ground state is calculated with relativistic Hartree-Bogoliubov model, while the M2 excitations are described using the relativistic quasiparticle random phase approximation with the residual interaction extended with the isovector-pseudovector term. The M2 transition strength distributions are described and analyzed for closed shell nuclei $$^{16}$$ O, $$^{48}$$ Ca, $$^{208}$$ Pb, open-shell $$^{18} \mathrm O$$ , $$^{42}$$ Ca, $$^{56}$$ Fe, and semi-magic $$^{90}$$ Zr. The evolution of M2 transition properties has been investigated within the $$^{36-64} \mathrm Ca$$ isotope chain. The main M2 transitions have rather rich underlying structure and detailed analysis shows that collectivity increases with the mass number due to larger number of contributing particle-hole configurations. Pairing correlations in open shell nuclei have strong effect, causing the reduction of M2 strength and shifts of the centroid energies to higher values. The analysis of M2 transition strengths indicate that considerable amount of experimental strength may be missing, mainly due to limitations to rather restricted energy ranges. The calculated M2 strengths for Ca isotopes, together with the future experimental data will allow constraining the quenching of the g factors in nuclear medium.

Implementation of the quasiparticle finite amplitude method within the relativistic self-consistent mean-field framework (II): The program DIRQFAM v2.0.0

We describe the new version 2.0.0 of the code DIRQFAM that calculates the multipole response of even-even axially symmetric deformed nuclei using the framework of relativistic self-consistent mean-field models. The response is calculated by implementing the finite amplitude method for relativistic quasiparticle random phase approximation. In the new version, we have implemented the following features: (i) meson-exchange interactions, (ii) low-rank method for calculating induced densities and currents, (iii) generalized minimal residual method (GMRES), (iv) evaluation of the nucleon localization function, (v) extraction of the QRPA transition matrix elements and eigenfrequencies, (vi) evaluation of the H11 part of the induced Hamiltonian, (vii) multipole excitation operators up to J≤5 are now included. Program summaryProgram title:DIRQFAM v2.0.0CPC Library link to program files:https://doi.org/10.17632/6gv8nxg4ns.2Licensing provisions: GPLv3Programming language: Fortran 90.External routines/libraries: BLAS/LAPACK, version 3.1. or higher.Journal reference of previous version: A. Bjelčić, T. Nikšić, Comp. Phys. Comm. 253, 107184 (2020).Does the new version supersede the previous version?: YesNature of problem: Multipole response of deformed even-even open-shell nuclei can be calculated using the quasiparticle finite amplitude method (QFAM), based on the relativistic self-consistent mean-field models. The particle-hole channel is described by a zero-range relativistic effective interaction or interaction based on meson exchange, while the particle-particle channel of the effective inter-nucleon interaction is described by a separable finite-range pairing force. The method can be applied to perform systematic studies of collective modes even in heavy deformed nuclei.Solution method: The current implementation computes the multipole response by solving the QFAM equations in a self-consistent iteration scheme. At each iteration the QFAM solutions are updated using the GMRES method. The QFAM amplitudes are expanded in the simplex-y harmonic oscillator basis.Summary of revisions:1.meson-exchange interaction are included in the code;2.calculation of the nucleon localization function;3.extraction of the QRPA transition matrix elements and eigenfrequencies;4.evaluation of the H11 part of the induced Hamiltonian;5.multipoles excitation operators up to J≤5 are included;6.low-rank method for calculating induced densities and currents;7.generalized minimal residual method;8.dynamic memory allocation;9.reduced memory requirements;Additional comments including restrictions and unusual features: Open-shell even-even nuclei with parity conserved axially symmetric ground states are considered. An electric multipole operator with J≤5 is used to calculate the response function.

Spin-isospin excitations in the direction of β+ decay for Zn80 and Ru126 at finite temperature

We investigate the Gamow-Teller (GT) and spin-dipole (SD) transitions in the direction of ${\ensuremath{\beta}}^{+}$ decay for neutron-rich $N=50$ nucleus $^{80}\mathrm{Zn}$ and $N=82$ nucleus $^{126}\mathrm{Ru}$, which are important for deleptonization phase in core-collapse supernova, at $T=0,\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}1,\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}2$ MeV with finite-temperature proton-neutron relativistic (quasiparticle) random-phase approximation. At zero temperature, the ${\mathrm{GT}}^{+}$ transitions for $^{80}\mathrm{Zn}$ and $^{126}\mathrm{Ru}$ are almost completely Pauli blocked because one more extra shell is occupied for neutrons than that for protons. With increasing temperature to even 2 MeV, the thermal excitation still cannot open up ${\mathrm{GT}}^{+}$ transitions with strong strength. The ${\mathrm{SD}}^{+}$ transitions in $^{80}\mathrm{Zn}$ are mildly affected by temperature, which means the experimental data measured at the laboratory can provide useful information for transitions in an astrophysical environment. However, for ${\mathrm{SD}}^{+}$ transitions in $^{126}\mathrm{Ru}$, the transition energies have a decrease of about 2 MeV from zero temperature to $T=1$ MeV due to the collapse of pairing gap of transition orbitals. The total strength in ${T}^{+}$ channel decreases with increasing temperature for both GT and SD transitions, due to the suppression of their transition strength induced by temperature effects.

Relativistic Two-Photon Matrix Elements for Attosecond Delays

The theory of one-photon ionization and two-photon above-threshold ionization is formulated for applications to heavy atoms in attosecond science by using Dirac–Fock formalism. A direct comparison of Wigner–Smith–Eisenbud delays for photoionization is made with delays from the Reconstruction of Attosecond Beating By Interference of Two-photon Transitions (RABBIT) method. Photoionization by an attosecond pulse train, consisting of monochromatic fields in the extreme ultraviolet range, is computed with many-body effects at the level of the relativistic random phase approximation (RRPA). Subsequent absorption and emission processes of infrared laser photons in RABBIT are evaluated by using static ionic potentials as well as asymptotic properties of relativistic Coulomb functions. As expected, light elements, such as argon, show negligible relativistic effects, whereas heavier elements, such a krypton and xenon, exhibit delays that depend on the fine-structure of the ionic target. The relativistic effects are notably close to ionization thresholds and Cooper minima with differences in fine-structure delays predicted to be as large as tens of attoseconds. The separability of relativistic RABBIT delays into a Wigner–Smith–Eisenbud delay and a universal continuum–continuum delay is studied with reasonable separability found for photoelectrons emitted along the laser polarization axis in agreement with prior non-relativistic results.

Photoionization of Atomic Systems Using the Random-Phase Approximation Including Relativistic Interactions

Approximation methods are unavoidable in solving a many-electron problem. One of the most successful approximations is the random-phase approximation (RPA). Miron Amusia showed that it can be used successfully to describe atomic photoionization processes of many-electron atomic systems. In this article, the historical reasons behind the term “random-phase approximation” are revisited. A brief introduction to the relativistic RPA (RRPA) developed by Walter Johnson and colleagues is provided and some of its illustrative applications are presented.

Two-neutrino double- β decay matrix elements based on a relativistic nuclear energy density functional

Nuclear matrix elements (NMEs) for two-neutrino double-beta decay ($2\nu\beta\beta$) are studied in the framework of relativistic nuclear energy density functional (REDF). The properties of nuclei involved in the decay are obtained using the relativistic Hartree-Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer theory and relevant nuclear transitions are described using the relativistic proton-neutron quasiparticle random phase approximation based on relativistic energy density functional (REDF-QRPA). Three effective interactions have been employed, including density-dependent meson-exchange (DD-ME2) and point coupling interactions (DD-PC1 and DD-PCX), and pairing correlations are described consistently both in $T=1$ and $T=0$ channels using a separable pairing interaction. The optimal values of $T=0$ pairing strength parameter $V_{0pp}$ are constrained by the experimental data on $\beta$-decay half lives. The $2\nu\beta\beta$ matrix elements and half-lives are calculated for several nuclides experimentally known to undergo this kind of decay: $^{48}$Ca, $^{76}$Ge, $^{82}$Se, $^{96}$Zr, $^{100}$Mo, $^{116}$Cd, $^{124}$Xe, $^{128}$Te, $^{130}$Te, $^{136}$Xe and $^{150}$Nd. The model dependence of the NMEs and their sensitivity on $V_{0pp}$ is investigated, and the NMEs obtained using optimal values of $V_{0pp}$ are discussed in comparison to previous studies. The results of the present work represent an important benchmark for the future applications of the relativistic framework in studies of neutrinoless double-beta decay.

Unusual behavior of Cooper minima of ns subshells in high- Z atoms

A study of Cooper minima (CM) arising from the photoionization of $6s$, 5s, and $4s$ subshells of high-$Z$ atoms has been performed using Dirac-Fock (DF), two-channel relativistic-random-phase approximation (RRPA), and fully coupled RRPA. The results show huge splittings between $ns\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\varepsilon}{p}_{3/2}$ and $\mathrm{ns}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\varepsilon}{p}_{1/2}$ CM which increase with $Z$ owing primarily to the relativistic interactions (spin orbit) that are attractive for the $\ensuremath{\varepsilon}{p}_{1/2}$ final state but repulsive for the corresponding $\ensuremath{\varepsilon}{p}_{3/2}$. In addition, it was found that correlation in the form of interchannel coupling (essentially configuration interaction in the final continuum states) plays a huge role in determining the location of the CM. For $6s$ photoionization, the $6s\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\varepsilon}{p}_{3/2}$ and $6s\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\varepsilon}{p}_{1/2}$ CM behave completely different as a function of $Z$. It was also found that for $5s$ and $4s$ photoionization, the CM move below the threshold, with increasing $Z$, and, at high enough $Z$, the $5s\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\varepsilon}{p}_{3/2}$ and $4s\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\varepsilon}{p}_{3/2}$ CM re-emerge into the continuum. The calculations have been carried out for the $ns$ subshells of Hg ($Z=80$), Rn ($Z=86$), Ra ($Z=88$), No ($Z=102$), Cn ($Z=112$), and Og ($Z=118$).

Symmetry breaking of Gamow-Teller and magnetic-dipole transitions and its restoration in calcium isotopes

Nuclear magnetic-dipole (M1) and Gamow-Teller (GT) transitions provide insight into the spin-isospin properties of atomic nuclei. By considering them as unified spin-isospin transitions, the M1/GT transition strengths and excitation energies are subject to isospin symmetry. The excitation properties associated to the M1/GT symmetry need to be clarified within consistent theoretical approach. In this work, the relationship between the M1 and GT transitions in Ca isotopes is investigated in a unified framework based on the relativistic energy-density functional (REDF) with point-coupling interactions, using the relativistic quasi-particle random-phase approximation (RQRPA). It is shown that the isovector-pseudovector (IV-PV) residual interaction affects both transitions, and the symmetry of M1 and giant-GT transitions is disrupted by this interaction in closed-shell nuclei. In open-shell Ca isotopes, the proton-neutron pairing in the residual RQRPA interaction also plays a role in GT transitions. Due to the interplay between these interactions, the M1/GT symmetry can be restored especially in the $^{42}$Ca nucleus, i.e., the giant-GT strength can become comparable to that of the M1 mode in terms of the unified spin-isospin transitions by adjusting the PN-pairing strength to reproduce the experimental low-lying GT-excitation energies. The mirror symmetry of both M1 and GT transitions is also demonstrated for open-shell mirror partners, $^{42}$Ca and $^{42}$Ti. Further improvements are required to achieve simultaneous reproduction of M1 and GT-transition energies in the REDF framework.

Relativistic random-phase-approximation description of M1 excitations with the inclusion of π mesons

Based on the covariant density functional theory, the magnetic dipole ($M1$) resonance is described in the framework of relativistic random-phase approximation with density-dependent meson-nucleon coupling. The isovector-pseudovector interaction channel, represented by the exchange of $\ensuremath{\pi}$ meson, is included in the residual interaction to describe unnatural parity transitions. The strength distributions of $M1$ resonances are studied in doubly magic nuclei $^{48}\mathrm{Ca}$, $^{90}\mathrm{Zr}$, and $^{208}\mathrm{Pb}$, in comparison with their analog Gamow-Teller (GT) excitations. It is found that the $\ensuremath{\pi}$ meson and its zero-range counterterm are responsible for almost all of the energy shift caused by residual interaction, which is similar to the case of GT excitation. However, the strength of the counterterm suggested by the GT study is not suitable to simultaneously reproduce the experimental $M1$ peak energies from $^{48}\mathrm{Ca}$ to $^{208}\mathrm{Pb}$. To improve the descriptions of $M1$, effects caused by adjusting the strength of pionic counterterm and introducing the density dependence of the $\ensuremath{\pi}$ meson channel are explored. Finally, from the analyses of dominant transition configurations of GT and $M1$ resonance, we find that the proper spin-orbit splitting is the key to simultaneously reproduce the $M1$ strength distributions from light to heavy nuclei.

Relativistic time-dependent configuration-interaction singles method

In this work, a derivation and implementation of the relativistic time-dependent configuration interaction singles (RTDCIS) method is presented. Various observables for krypton and xenon atoms obtained by RTDCIS are compared with experimental data and alternative relativistic calculations. This includes energies of occupied orbitals in the Dirac-Fock ground state, Rydberg state energies, Fano resonances and photoionization cross sections. Diagrammatic many-body perturbation theory, based on the relativistic random phase approximation, is used as a benchmark with excellent agreement between RTDCIS reported at the Tamm-Dancoff level. Results from RTDCIS are computed in the length gauge, here the negative energy states can be omitted with acceptable loss of accuracy. A complex absorbing potential, that is used to remove photoelectrons far from the ion, is implemented as a scalar potential and validated for RTDCIS. The RTDCIS methodology presented here opens for future studies of strong-field processes, such as attosecond transient absorption and high-order harmonic generation, with electron and hole spin dynamics and other relativistic effects described by first principle via the Dirac equation.

Beyond-mean-field calculations of allowed and first-forbidden β− decays of r-process waiting-point nuclei

β-decay rates of neutron-rich nuclei, in particular those located at neutron shell closures, play a central role in simulations of the heavy-element nucleosynthesis and resulting abundance distributions. We present β-decay half-lives of even-even N = 82 and N = 126 r-process waiting-point nuclei calculated in the approach based on relativistic quasiparticle random phase approximation with quasiparticle-vibration coupling. The calculations include both allowed and first-forbidden transitions. In the N = 82 chain, the quasiparticlevibration coupling has an important impact close to stability, as it increases the contribution of Gamow-Teller modes and improves the agreement with the available data. In the N = 126 chain, we find the decay to proceed dominantly via first-forbidden transitions, even when the coupling to vibrations is included.

Evolution of β -decay half-lives in stellar environments

$\ensuremath{\beta}$-decay properties of nuclei are investigated within the relativistic nuclear energy density functional framework by varying the temperature and density, conditions relevant to the final stages of stellar evolution. Both thermal and nuclear pairing effects are taken into account in the description of nuclear properties and in the finite-temperature proton-neutron relativistic quasiparticle random-phase approximation (FT-PNRQRPA) to calculate the relevant allowed and first-forbidden transitions in the $\ensuremath{\beta}$ decay. The temperature and density effects are studied on the $\ensuremath{\beta}$-decay half-lives at temperatures $T=0$--$1.5\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\mathrm{MeV}$ and at densities $\ensuremath{\rho}{Y}_{e}={10}^{7}\phantom{\rule{4pt}{0ex}}\mathrm{g}/{\mathrm{cm}}^{3}$ and ${10}^{9}\phantom{\rule{4pt}{0ex}}\mathrm{g}/{\mathrm{cm}}^{3}$. The relevant Gamow-Teller transitions are also investigated for Ti, Fe, Cd, and Sn isotopic chains at finite-temperatures. We find that the $\ensuremath{\beta}$-decay half-lives increase with increasing density $\ensuremath{\rho}{Y}_{e}$, whereas half-lives generally decrease with increasing temperature. It is shown that the temperature effects decrease the half-lives considerably in nuclei with longer half-lives at zero temperature, while only slight changes for nuclei with short half-lives are obtained. We also show the importance of including the de-excitation transitions in the calculation of the $\ensuremath{\beta}$-decay half-lives at finite-temperatures. Comparing the FT-PNQRPA results with the shell-model calculations for $pf$-shell nuclei, a reasonable agreement is obtained for the temperature dependence of $\ensuremath{\beta}$-decay rates. Finally, large-scale calculations of $\ensuremath{\beta}$-decay half-lives are performed at temperatures ${T}_{9}(\text{K})=5$ and ${T}_{9}(\text{K})=10$ and densities $\ensuremath{\rho}{Y}_{e}={10}^{7}$ and ${10}^{9}\phantom{\rule{4pt}{0ex}}\mathrm{g}/{\mathrm{cm}}^{3}$ for even-even nuclei in the range $8\ensuremath{\le}Z\ensuremath{\le}82$, relevant for astrophysical nucleosynthesis mechanisms.

β -delayed neutron-emission and fission calculations within relativistic quasiparticle random-phase approximation and a statistical model

Background: $\ensuremath{\beta}$-delayed neutron emission and fission are essential in $r$-process nucleosynthesis. Although the number of experimental studies covering $r$-process nuclei has recently increased, the uncertainties of $\ensuremath{\beta}$-delayed neutron emission and fission are still large for $r$-process simulations.Purpose: Our aim is to introduce a theoretical framework for the description of $\ensuremath{\beta}$-delayed neutron-emission and fission rates based on relativistic nuclear energy density-functional and statistical models and investigate their properties throughout the nuclide map.Methods: To obtain $\ensuremath{\beta}$ strength functions, the relativistic proton-neutron quasiparticle random-phase approximation is employed. Particle evaporations and fission from highly excited nuclear states are estimated by the Hauser-Feshbach statistical model. $\ensuremath{\beta}$-delayed neutron branching ratios ${P}_{n}$ are calculated and compared with experimental data, and the $\ensuremath{\beta}$-delayed fission branching ratio ${P}_{f}$ are also assessed by using different fission barrier data.Results: Calculated ${P}_{n}$ are in a good agreement with the experimental data and the root mean square deviation is comparable to results of preceding works. It is found that energy withdrawal by $\ensuremath{\beta}$-delayed neutron-emission sensitivity varies ${P}_{n}$, especially for nuclei near the neutron drip line. ${P}_{f}$ depend sensitively on fission barrier data. It is found that not only the barrier height but also the number of barrier humps is important to evaluate ${P}_{f}$.Conclusions: The framework introduced in this work provides an improved theoretical description of the $\ensuremath{\beta}$-delayed neutron emission and fission. Since ${P}_{f}$ as well as ${P}_{n}$ depend strongly on fission barrier information, four kinds of fission barrier data are used in this work to allow further sensitivity studies of the $r$-process nucleosynthesis on the nuclear fission. More studies on fission barrier are highly requested to assess the role of $\ensuremath{\beta}$-delayed fission in the $r$-process study. A complete set of calculated data for $\ensuremath{\beta}$-delayed neutron emission and fission are summarized as a table in supplemental material for its use in $r$-process studies as well as to complement a part of nuclear data in which no experimental data are available.

Angular anisotropy parameters for photoionization delays

Anisotropy parameters describing the angular dependence of the photoionization delay are defined. The formalism is applied to results obtained with the relativistic random phase approximation with exchange for photoionization delay from the outermost $s$-orbitals in selected rare-gas atoms. Any angular dependence in the Wigner delay is induced here by relativistic effects, while the measurable atomic delay exhibits such a dependence also in the nonrelativistic limit. The contributions to the anisotropy from the different sources are disentangled and discussed. For the heavier rare gases, it is shown that measurements of the delay for electrons ejected in specific angles, relative to, e.g., those ejected along the laser polarization, are directly related here to the Wigner delay. For a considerable range of angles, the contributions from the second photon largely get canceled when the results in different angles are compared, and this angle-relative atomic delay is then close to the corresponding Wigner delay.