Model for independent particle motion

TL;DR

This paper reviews the independent particle model in nuclear physics, discussing its theoretical frameworks, implications for nuclear structure, and phenomena like shell structure, superheavy nuclei, and superdeformation.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of the independent particle motion in nuclei across various models, highlighting its global and single-particle consequences.

Findings

Shell structure influences nuclear landscape and superheavy nuclei.

Single-particle energies and densities reveal superdeformation at high spin.

Theoretical models connect independent particle motion to observable nuclear phenomena.

Abstract

Independent particle model in nuclear physics assumes that the nucleon in the nucleus moves in the average (mean field) potential generated by all other nucleons. This chapter gives a short overview of basic features of the independent particle motion in atomic nuclei and its theoretical realization in the framework of shell models for spherical, deformed and rotating nuclei as well as in more sophisticated approaches such as microscopic+macroscopic model and density functional theories. Independent particle motion of nucleons leads to global and single-particle consequences. The global ones manifest themselves in the shell structure and its consequences for global structure of nuclear landscape, the existence of superheavy nuclei and the superdeformation at high spin are briefly reviewed. The latter shows itself in the single-particle properties such as energies, alignments and densities; their manifestations are illustrated on specific examples.