Macroscopic and Skyrme-Hartree-Fock test of E(5) symmetry in xenon isotopes

Abstract

Algebraic collective model calculations for even-even xenon isotopes Xe-128,Xe-130 have been performed to describe collective properties of these two isotopes, considered to be candidates for an E(5) transition from spherical to gamma-soft, O(6)-like nuclei. The shape transitional point and the E(5) symmetry are characterised by large fluctuations in the triaxiality parameter gamma reflected by a very flat potential in the gamma direction resulting in two symmetric prolate and oblate minima in the potential energy curves. This has been studied using the Skyrme-Hartree-Fock calculations with different parametrisations of the Skyrme interaction.