Covariant energy density functionals optimization: a new approach.*

Covariant density functional theory (CDFT) is one of the modern theoretical tools for the description of finite nuclei and neutron stars.  Its performance is defined by underlying covariant energy density functionals (CEDFs) which depend on a number of parameters. The analysis of the major classes of CEDFs reveals the existence of parametric correlations between these parameters [1,2]. The removal of these correlations reduces the number of independent parameters to five or six depending on the underlying functional structure without leading to a degradation of the performance of CEDFs on a global scale [2,3]. However, this analysis is based on the fitting protocols that employ only spherical nuclei. The results of this study reveal that information about deformed nuclei should be included in the fitting protocol for improving the performance of CEDFs [3]. Furthermore, an isospin-dependent pairing interaction should be employed to improve performance [3]. This presentation will provide details of the new method and highlight the main results.

[1] S. E. Agbemava, A. V. Afanasjev, and A. Taninah, Phys. Rev. C, vol. 99, 2019, p. 014318.

[2] A. Taninah, S. E. Agbemava, A. V. Afanasjev, and P. Ring, Phys. Lett. B, vol. 800, 2020, p. 135065.

[3] A. Taninah, and A. V. Afanasjev, in preparation.