The dynamics of nuclear collective motion is investigated in the case of reflection-asymmetric shapes. The model is based on a new parametrization of the octupole and quadrupole degrees of freedom, valid for nuclei close to the axial symmetry. Amplitudes of oscillation in other degrees of freedom different from the axial ones are assumed to be small, but not frozen to zero. The case of nuclei which already possess a permanent quadrupole deformation is discussed in some more detail and a simple solution is obtained at the critical point of the phase transition between harmonic octupole oscillation and a permanent asymmetric shape. The results are compared with experimental data of the thorium isotopic chain. The isotope ${}^{226}\mathrm{Th}$ is found to be close to the critical point.

• Received 6 September 2004

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.70.064319