We examine isovector and isoscalar neutron-proton correlations in an exactly
solvable model based on the algebra SO(8). We look particularly closely at
Gamow-Teller strength and double beta decay, both to isolate the effects of the
two kinds of pairing and to test two approximation schemes: the renormalized
neutron-proton QRPA (RQRPA) and generalized BCS theory. When isoscalar pairing
correlations become strong enough a phase transition occurs and the dependence
of the Gamow-Teller beta+ strength on isospin changes in a dramatic and
unfamiliar way, actually increasing as neutrons are added to an N=Z core.
Renormalization eliminates the well-known instabilities that plague the QRPA as
the phase transition is approached, but only by unnaturally suppressing the
isoscalar correlations. Generalized BCS theory, on the other hand, reproduces
the Gamow-Teller strength more accurately in the isoscalar phase than in the
usual isovector phase, even though its predictions for energies are equally
good everywhere. It also mixes T=0 and T=1 pairing, but only on the isoscalar
side of the phase transition.Comment: 13 pages + 11 postscript figures, in RevTe
