THE INDEPENDENT PARTICLE MODEL

Abstract

Abstract This chapter deals with the independent particle model, the basis for the multiparticle shell model, which in turn remains the standard of comparison for other models and provides the justification, rationale, and microscopic basis for macroscopic, collective models. The independent particle model is applicable in principle only to atomic nuclei with a single nucleon outside a closed shell and, even then, incorporates certain results from the shell model. A central problem of nuclear structure is to describe the motions of the individual nucleons and to deduce observed facets of nuclear excitations from this basis. Ultimately, the essential results are presented in terms of the potential of the independent particle model. This chapter also discusses nuclear potentials, the general properties of fermions in a potential, predictions of the independent particle model, mass dependence of single-particle energies, and isospin.