Parameter calibration for beta-decay calculations

Reliable theoretical predictions for β-decay rates of neutron-rich nuclei are essential for r-process studies. Recent development of the proton-neutron finite amplitude method (pnFAM) makes global β-decay studies feasible within the nuclear density functional theory. In pnFAM calculations with the Skyrme functional, time-odd terms, isoscalar pairing, and the axial-vector coupling strongly impact the results, but they are not constrained by the properties of even-even nuclei. Model calibration is thus necessary and it is the first step toward the uncertainty quantification of β-decay predictions. We perform both χ² optimization and Bayesian calibration with selected experimental data, and obtain optimal parameters and their uncertainties. Comparisons between various calibration schemes provide insights into the use of statistical methods in physics.