QCD and a New Paradigm for Nuclear Structure

TL;DR

This paper advocates for a paradigm shift in nuclear physics by considering the modification of nucleon structure within nuclei, supported by theoretical calculations and proposed experiments to validate this approach.

Contribution

It introduces a new perspective on nuclear structure emphasizing nucleon modification in medium, challenging traditional immutable nucleon models.

Findings

Theoretical calculations support nucleon structure changes in nuclei.

Proposed experiments could confirm nucleon modifications.

New paradigm offers a different understanding of nuclear building blocks.

Abstract

We review the reasons why one might choose to seriously re-examine the traditional approach to nuclear theory where nucleons are treated as immutable. This examination leads us to argue that the modification of the structure of the nucleon when immersed in a nuclear medium is fundamental to how atomic nuclei are built. Consistent with this approach we suggest key experiments which should tell us unambiguously whether there is such a change in the structure of a bound nucleon. We also briefly report on extremely promising recent calculations of the structure of nuclei across the periodic table based upon this idea.