Probing high-order deformation effects in neutron-deficient nuclei 246,248No with improved potential-energy-surface calculations

In this project, the high-order deformation effects in even-even 246,248No are investigated by means of pairing self-consistent Woods-Saxon-Strutinsky calculations using the potential-energy-surface (PES) approach in an extended deformation space (β2, β3, β4, β5, β6, β7, β8). Based on the calculated two-dimensional-projected energy maps and different potential-energy curves, we found that the highly even-order deformations have an important impact on both the fission trajectory and energy minima, while the odd-order deformations, accompanying the even-order ones, primarily affect the fission path beyond the second barrier. The nuclear ground state might change to the superdeformed configuration, but the normally-deformed minimum, as the low-energy shape isomer, may still be primarily responsible for enhancing nuclear stability and ensuring experimental accessibility in 246,248No. The related data calculated in this work are attached as supplementary material, facilitating the reproduction of theoretical calculations and potential applications.