Shapes and Shells in Nuclear Structure

A detailed review of the key models of nuclear structure and dynamics.

Ingemar Ragnarsson (Author), Sven Gvsta Nilsson (Author)

9780521019668, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 15 September 2005

424 pages, 135 b/w illus. 22 tables 97 exercises
24.5 x 17 x 2.2 cm, 0.664 kg

'Practicing engineers may or may not find direct applications for lessons learned from the book. However, we can gain a new understanding of many things we have previously taken for granted, and the added perspective should result in better thinking and, consequently, better solutions in our professional work. Even if it doesn't, a better understanding of the world in which we live is of great intrinsic value, and more than enough reason to invest in this excellent book.' CEP

There are a variety of models which can be used to study nuclear structure and dynamics. This book gives a comprehensive overview of these various models, concentrating in particular on a description of deformed and rotating nuclei. Following a treatment of the semi-empirical mass formula and nuclear stability, the liquid-drop and simple shell models are introduced and described. The spherical nuclear one-particle potential is introduced and developed to cover the case of deformed nuclei. The latter chapters of the book are devoted to discussions of barrier penetration, fast nuclear rotation, nucleon-nucleon interactions and the pairing interaction. Many problems and solutions are included, which help to illustrate key concepts. The book will be invaluable to graduate students of nuclear physics, and to anyone engaged in research in this field.

Preface
1. Introduction
2. Charge and matter distribution in nuclei
3. The semi-empirical mass formula and nuclear stability
4. Nuclear fission and the liquid-drop model
5. Shell structure and magic numbers
6. The nuclear one-particle potential in the spherical case
7. The magnetic dipole moment and electric quadrupole moment for nuclei with closed shells +/- one nucleon
8. Single-particle orbitals in deformed nuclei
9. The shell correction method and the nuclear deformation energy
10. The barrier penetration problem - fission and alpha-decay
11. Rotational bands - the particle-rotor model
12. Fast nuclear rotation - the cranking model
13. The nucleon-nucleon two-body interaction
14. The pairing interaction
Solutions to exercises.

Subject Areas: Nuclear physics [PHN]