Nuclear Shell Structure in the Light of Quark Theory

Abstract

Abstract Realizing that the internal structure of nucleons undergoes appreciable changes through embedding into nuclear matter the finite nucleus is considered from the outset as a correlated system of quarks. As an appropriate approximation scheme we introduce an extended bag model, i.e. a bag with nuclear radius containing all 3n quarks of the n-nucleon system. As the direct interaction we choose a SU (3)-invariant generalized pairing force which is supposed to contain the major effects of the more general term. As a result of the calculations containing a.o. a rigorous diagonalization of the total Hamiltonian, the characteristic properties of the conventional (nuclear) shell structure are reproduced: The spin orbit splitting appears now as a property of the relativistic single quark states, and the independent nucleon states are represented by correlated 3-quark-clusters. In addition, the nuclear radius law follows directly from a normal value of the vacuum pressure.