Future of Nuclear Fission Theory

Abstract

There has been much recent interest in nuclear fission, due in part to a new appreciation of its relevance to astrophysics, stability of superheavy elements, and fundamental theory of neutrino interactions. At the same time, there have been important developments on a conceptual and computational level for the theory. The promising new theoretical avenues were the subject of a workshop held at the University of York in October 2019; this report summarises its findings and recommendations.

Equation of Motion Method to strongly correlated Fermi systems and Extended RPA approaches

“…In both cases the NCphRPA improves over (Q)RPA overcoming the abrupt change at the phase transition of the (Q)RPA for Σ = 1/2. The theory could be extended to describe large amplitude collective motion within a particle-number projected adiabatic timedependent HFB theory for nuclear fission studies [59]. However, since the theory is very recent, no other applications, e.g., for realistic systems exist so far.…”

Least action and the maximum-coupling approximations in the theory of spontaneous fission

“…See for example Refs. [1][2][3][4]. Once a tunneling path through the collective space is determined, the decay rate is calculated from the collective potential and inertia using the WKB formula.…”

Transformations of actinides fission product yields due to post-scission emission of nuclear particles: 232Th

“…The mass/charge spectra of fission-fragment (MCSFF) yields are important observable parameters that are dependents on the nature of the inter-nuclear interaction and the influences of filled nuclear (proton, neutron) shells [1]. The study of MCSFF provides valuable information about the nature of nuclear matter [2,3], and is essential for the physics of nucleosynthesis [4], studying the heavy nuclei stability [5,6]. The applied aspect of the MCSFF study is vital for terrestrial radioecology, nuclear power tasks, and radioactive waste utilization [7].…”