Nucleon Pairing and Seniority

Abstract

Until now we have been dealing with particle and hole aspects of nuclear structure. In this second part of the book we go farther away from a closed major shell. Still near the beginning or end of a major shell we encounter vibrational, spherical open-shell nuclei that cannot be described in terms of a few particles or holes. Farther towards the middle of the shell the spherical shape will give way to permanent deformation signalled by rotational bands analogous to those of diatomic molecules. Microscopic description of such nuclei requires a deformed mean field as the starting point. Deformed nuclei will not be considered in any detail in this book.