Covariant density functional theory for magnetic rotation

Abstract

The tilted axis cranking formalism is implemented in relativistic mean field (RMF) theory. It is used for a microscopic description of magnetic rotation in the framework of covariant density functional theory. We assume that the rotational axis is in the xz-plane and consider systems with the two symmetries P (space reflection) and P_yT (a combination of a reflection in y-direction and time reversal). A computer code based on these symmetries is developed and first applications are discussed for the nucleus $^{142}$Gd: the rotational band based on the configuration pi h^2_{11/2} x nu h^{-2}_{11/2} is investigated in a fully microscopic and self-consistent way. The results are compared with available data, such as spectra and electromagnetic transition ratios B(M1)/B(E2). The relation between rotational velocity and angular momentum are discussed in detail together with the shears mechanism characteristic of magnetic rotation.