Radial basis function approach in nuclear mass predictions

The radial basis function (RBF) approach is applied in predicting nuclear masses for eight widely used nuclear mass models, ranging from macroscopic-microscopic to microscopic types. A significantly improved accuracy in computing nuclear masses is obtained, and the corresponding rms deviations with respect to the known masses are reduced by up to 78%. Moreover, strong correlations are found between a target nucleus and the reference nuclei within about three units in distance; these play critical roles in improving nuclear mass predictions. Based on the latest Weizsäcker-Skyrme mass model, the RBF approach can achieve an accuracy comparable with the extrapolation method used in atomic mass evaluation. In addition, the necessity of new high-precision experimental data to improve the mass predictions with the RBF approach is emphasized as well.