On nuclear energy levels

Abstract

The formula for the energy levels of the rigid rotator has been applied to nuclei. Two kinds of nuclear rotation are discussed: the rotation of the whole nucleus leads to an A - 5/3 relation for the energy levels of different nuclei; the rotation around the nucleus leads to an A -2/3 relation. Both relations are based on the assumption of equal density of different nuclei. Examples for both relations have been found. The existence of simple rational relations between the excitation levels of a nucleus, predicted by the rotator formula and empirically known in some heavy nuclei, has been confirmed in other nuclei. The value of the rotation constant has been determined: B 0 = 5·06 4 MeV. The system of rotator levels appears to be relevant to the interpretation of the observed nuclear levels. The transition probabilities in a system of rotator levels is discussed. Nuclear excitation levels are compared with X-ray levels. From the level system can be concluded that the nuclear radii fulfil the relation r = r 0 A 1/3 with r 0 = 2·03 1 10 -13 cm. This value is in conformity with values found by other methods.