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Multidimensionally-constrained relativistic mean field models and potential energy surfaces of actinide nuclei

By breaking both the axial and the spatial reflection symmetries, we develop multidimensionally constrained relativistic mean field (MDC-RMF) models. The nuclear shape is assumed to be invariant under the reversion of $x$ and $y$ axes, i.e., the intrinsic symmetry group is $V_{4}$ and all shape degrees of freedom $β_{λμ}$ with even $μ$, such as $β_{20}$, $β_{22}$, $β_{30}$, $β_{32}$, $β_{40}$, $\dots$, are included self-consistently. The Dirac wave functions are expanded in an axially deformed harmonic oscillator basis. The RMF functional can be one of the following four forms: the meson exchange or point-coupling nucleon interactions combined with the nonlinear or density-dependent couplings. The pairing effects are taken into account with the BCS approach. The 1-, 2-, and 3-D potential energy surfaces (PES's) of $^{240}$Pu are illustrated for numerical checks and for the study of the effect of the triaxiality on the fission barriers. Potential energy curves of even-even actinide nuclei around the first and second fission barriers are studied systematically. Besides the first ones, the second fission barriers in these nuclei are also lowered considerably by the triaxial deformation. This lowering effect is independent of the effective interactions used in the RMF functionals. Further discussions are made about different predictions on the effect of the triaxiality between the macroscopic-microscopic and MDC-RMF models, possible discontinuities on PES's from self-consistent approaches, and the restoration of broken symmetries. MDC-RMF models give reasonably good description of fission barriers of even-even actinide nuclei. It is important to include both the nonaxial and the reflection asymmetric shapes simultaneously for the study of PES's and fission barriers of actinide nuclei and of those in unknown mass regions such as, e.g., superheavy nuclei.