Tensor part of the Skyrme energy density functional. II. Deformation properties of magic and semi-magic nuclei

We study systematically the impact of the time-even tensor terms of the Skyrme energy density functional, i.e. terms bilinear in the spin-current tensor density, on deformation properties of closed-shell nuclei corresponding to 20,28,40,50,82, and 126 neutron or proton shell closures. We compare results obtained with three different families of Skyrme parametrizations whose tensor terms have been adjusted on properties of spherical nuclei: (i) TIJ interactions proposed in the first article of this series that were constructed through a complete readjustment of the rest of the functional and (ii) parametrizations whose tensor terms have been added perturbatively to existing Skyrme interactions, with or without readjusting the spin-orbit coupling constant. We analyze in detail the mechanisms at play behind the impact of tensor terms on deformation properties and how studying the latter can help screen out unrealistic parametrizations. It is expected that findings of the present article are to a large extent independent of remaining deficiencies of the central and spin-orbit interactions and will be of great value for the construction of future, improved energy functionals. © 2009 The American Physical Society.SCOPUS: ar.j