The effect of nuclear and Coulomb interactions on the nuclear shapes of two colliding 208Pb nuclei

Using a complex energy density functional derived from the Reid soft-core potential, the changes in nuclear shapes of two colliding 208Pb are investigated. At each separation distance R, the total binding energy of the Pb+Pb system is minimized w.r.t. the quadrupole deformation and diffuseness parameters of nuclear densities. It is found that the nuclear shapes are strongly affected by the nuclear and Coulomb interactions. A sudden transition occurs from oblate to prolate shapes around R ≅ 16.8 fm and a smooth one from prolate to oblate shapes around R ≅ 11.76 fm. (orig.)