Nuclear Binding Energy in Terms of a Redefined (A)symmetry Energy

Abstract

We investigate the structure of the equation of state of finite nuclear matter by examining the nature of isospin dependence in the (a)symmetry energy term. In particular, we include in the description of the binding energy fourth-order dependence with respect to the asymmetry factor, (N-Z)/A, and the regime of the l=0 Landau parameter, F0´ , is required to be less than –1. This modified equation predicts a minimum binding energy where N≠Z, in addition to the standard symmetric minimum when N=Z. Results with the new asymmetry energy term are compared with experimental binding and symmetry energies from standard semi-empirical mass formulas. Importantly, this method reveals one possible mechanism for producing the phenomenon of neutron excess which is seen in physical nuclei.