Shell Structure of Exotic Nuclei

Abstract

Theoretical predictions and experimental discoveries for neutron-rich, short-lived nuclei far from stability indicate that the familiar concept of nucleonic shell structure should be considered as less robust than previously thought. The notion of single-particle motion in exotic nuclei is reviewed with a particular focus on three aspects: (i) variations of nuclear mean field with neutron excess due to tensor interactions; (ii) importance of many-body correlations; and (iii) influence of open channels on properties of weakly bound and unbound nuclear states.Comment: 14 pages, 7 figures, submitted to Progress in Particle and Nuclear Physics, Proc. of the International School of Nuclear Physics 28th Course, Radioactive Beams, Nuclear Dynamics and Astrophysics, Erice-Sicily: 16 - 24 September 200