Image reconstruction of nuclear masses

The differences between measured masses and Liquid Drop Model (LDM) predictions have well known regularities, which can be analyzed as a two-dimensional texture on the N-Z plane. The remaining microscopic effects, obtained after removing the smooth LDM mass contributions, have proved difficult to model. They contain all the information related to shell closures, nuclear deformation and the residual nuclear interactions, and display a well defined pattern. In the present work the more than 2000 known nuclear masses are studied as an array in the N-Z plane viewed through a mask, behind which the approximately 7000 unknown unstable nuclei that can exist between the proton and neutron drip lines are hidden. Employing a Fourier transform deconvolution method these masses can be predicted. The image reconstruction technique allows the precise prediction of nuclear masses in the vicinity of the region of nuclei with measured masses, improving any reference model. Other potential applications of the present approach are outlined.