The authors review the present status of self-consistent mean-field (SCMF) models for describing nuclear structure and low-energy dynamics. These models are presented as effective energy-density functionals. The three most widely used variants of SCMF's based on a Skyrme energy functional, a Gogny force, and a relativistic mean-field Lagrangian are considered side by side. The crucial role of the treatment of pairing correlations is pointed out in each case. The authors discuss other related nuclear structure models and present several extensions beyond the mean-field model which are currently used. Phenomenological adjustment of the model parameters is discussed in detail. The performance quality of the SCMF model is demonstrated for a broad range of typical applications.

Self-consistent mean-field models for nuclear structure

Microscopic study of the high-spin behaviour in selected A ~= 80 nuclei

Coexistence in even-mass nuclei

The concept of spontaneous symmetry breaking is applied to the rotating mean field of nuclei. The description is based on the tilted-axis cranking model, which takes into account that the rotational axis can take any orientation with respect to the deformed density distribution. The appearance of rotational bands in nuclei is analyzed, focusing on weakly deformed nuclei at high angular momentum. The quantization of the angular momentum of the valence nucleons leads to new phenomena. Magnetic rotation represents the quantized rotation of the anisotropic current distribution in a near spherical nucleus. The restricted amount of angular momentum of the valence particles causes band termination. The discrete symmetries of the mean-field Hamiltonian provide a classification scheme of rotational bands. New symmetries result from the combination of the spatial symmetries of the density distribution with the vector of the angular momentum. The author discusses in detail which symmetries appear for a reflection-symmetric density distribution and how they show up in the properties of the rotational bands. In particular, the consequences of rotation about a nonprincipal axis and of breaking the chiral symmetry are analyzed. Also discussed are which symmetries and band structures appear for non-reflection-symmetric mean fields. The consequences of breaking the symmetry with respect to gauge and isospin rotations are sketched. Some analogies outside nuclear physics are mentioned. The application of symmetry-restoring methods to states with large angular momentum is reviewed.

Spontaneous symmetry breaking in rotating nuclei

A small proportion of atomic nuclei can form highly excited metastable states, or isomers. Of particular interest is a class of isomers found in deformed axially symmetric nuclei; these isomers are among the longest-lived and have the potential to reach the highest energies. By probing their properties, insights into nuclear structure have been gained. The possibility of stimulated isomer decay may ultimately lead to new forms of energy storage and γ-ray lasers.

Energy traps in atomic nuclei

A description of high-spin phenomena in atomic nuclei is presented from both the experimental and theoretical points of view. The characteristic features of collective nuclear motion, such as rotational bands, band crossings, and backbending, as well as noncollective aspects, like high-spin isomers and irregular decay patterns, are discussed in detail. Recent achievements of the cranking model including the independent quasiparticle and the shell correction methods are reviewed. Changes in the structure of nuclei excited up to the highest possible angular momenta are analyzed; in particular, angular momentum alignment effects, shape changes, possible phase transitions, and sudden rearrangements in the single-particle structure are discussed. Phenomena related to the nuclear quasicontinuum spectra are also examined.

High-spin phenomena in atomic-nuclei

https://pure.rug.nl/ws/files/60939747/Multipolarity_of_quasicontinuum_rays_from_collective_high_spin_states_in_152Dy.pdf

J. Dudek

Papers

High-spin phenomena in atomic-nuclei

Multipolarity of quasicontinuum γ-rays from collective high-spin states in 152Dy