The many approaches that have been pursued in seeking an understanding of nuclear rotational dynamics are reviewed and reassessed with a view to their development in the light of recent progress and the research tools that are now available. A motivation for this review is the widespread observation of nuclear shape coexistence and sequences of rotational states in all regions of the nuclear periodic table combined with the recognition that the study of the rotational dynamics of quantum fluids has led to significant advances in the quantum theory of many-boson systems. Recent experimental investigations of the rotational dynamics of a low-temperature $^6$ Li gas indicate that its slow rotational flows are likewise the irrotational flows of a superfluid. In this context, the dynamics of rotating nuclei are of fundamental interest because the nucleus is a unique zero-temperature finite many-fermion quantum system. A promising approach is provided by algebraic mean-field theory which, as its name suggests, is a combination of algebraic and mean-field methods. Static mean-field theories play a central role in many-body theory by defining optimal independent-particle and independent quasi-particle basis states for the quantum mechanics of many-fermion systems. Their time-dependent extensions also lead, in the small-amplitude random-phase approximation, to the quantisation of the classical normal-mode vibrations of many-fermion systems about their static equilibrium states. This review shows that mean-field methods become significantly more powerful when combined with algebraic methods and an appropriate coupling scheme for the nuclear shell model.The many approaches that have been pursued in seeking an understanding of nuclear rotational dynamics are reviewed and reassessed with a view to their development in the light of recent progress and the research tools that are now available. A motivation for this review is the widespread observation of nuclear shape coexistence and sequences of rotational states in all regions of the nuclear periodic table combined with the recognition that the study of the rotational dynamics of quantum fluids has led to significant advances in the quantum theory of many-boson systems. Recent experimental investigations of the rotational dynamics of a low-temperature $^6$Li gas indicate that its slow rotational flows are likewise the irrotational flows of a superfluid. In this context, the dynamics of rotating nuclei are of fundamental interest because the nucleus is a unique zero-temperature finite many-fermion quantum system. A promising approach is provided by algebraic mean-field theory which, as its name suggests, is a combination of algebraic and mean-field methods. Static mean-field theories play a central role in many-body theory by defining optimal independent-particle and independent quasi-particle basis states for the quantum mechanics of many-fermion systems. Their time-dependent extensions also lead, in the small-amplitude random-phase approximation, to the quantisation of the classical normal-mode vibrations of many-fermion systems about their static equilibrium states. This review shows that mean-field methods become significantly more powerful when combined with algebraic methods and an appropriate coupling scheme for the nuclear shell model.

arXiv:1710.04150Oct 11, 20171 citation

The harmonic oscillator and nuclear physics

DAVID J. ROWE

The three-dimensional harmonic oscillator plays a central role in nuclear physics. It provides the underlying structure of the independent-particle shell model and gives rise to the dynamical group structures on which models of nuclear collective motion are based. It is shown that the three-dimensional harmonic oscillator features a rich variety of coherent states, including vibrations of the monopole, dipole, and quadrupole types, and rotations of the rigid flow, vortex flow, and irrotational flow types. Nuclear collective states exhibit all of these flows. It is also shown that the coherent state representations, which have their origins in applications to the dynamical groups of the simple harmonic oscillator, can be extended to vector coherent state representations with a much wider range of applicability. As a result, coherent state theory and vector coherent state theory become powerful tools in the application of algebraic methods in physics.The three-dimensional harmonic oscillator plays a central role in nuclear physics. It provides the underlying structure of the independent-particle shell model and gives rise to the dynamical group structures on which models of nuclear collective motion are based. It is shown that the three-dimensional harmonic oscillator features a rich variety of coherent states, including vibrations of the monopole, dipole, and quadrupole types, and rotations of the rigid flow, vortex flow, and irrotational flow types. Nuclear collective states exhibit all of these flows. It is also shown that the coherent state representations, which have their origins in applications to the dynamical groups of the simple harmonic oscillator, can be extended to vector coherent state representations with a much wider range of applicability. As a result, coherent state theory and vector coherent state theory become powerful tools in the application of algebraic methods in physics.

Jan 1, 19930 citations

The Quantum Theory of Nuclear Disintegration

George Gamow

NatureNov 1, 1928123 citations

^6

Li gas indicate that its slow rotational flows are likewise the irrotational flows of a superfluid. In this context, the dynamics of rotating nuclei are of fundamental interest because the nucleus is a unique zero-temperature finite many-fermion quantum system. A promising approach is provided by algebraic mean-field theory which, as its name suggests, is a combination of algebraic and mean-field methods. Static mean-field theories play a central role in many-body theory by defining optimal independent-particle and independent quasi-particle basis states for the quantum mechanics of many-fermion systems. Their time-dependent extensions also lead, in the small-amplitude random-phase approximation, to the quantisation of the classical normal-mode vibrations of many-fermion systems about their static equilibrium states. This review shows that mean-field methods become significantly more powerful when combined with algebraic methods and an appropriate coupling scheme for the nuclear shell model.