MACROSCOPIC NUCLEAR PROPERTIES
In our continuing efforts to develop a systematic macroscopic-microscopic theory of static and
dynamic nuclear properties, several milestones have been reached:
- Droplet Model: The fine tuning of the Finite Range Droplet Model of nuclear properties
has been completed, resulting in currently the most comprehensive macroscopic-microscopic
theory of nuclear binding energies, deformations, fission barriers, alpha decay energies,
etc., with theoretical predictions for 8979 nuclei ranging from mass number 16 to 339.
These quantities can now be estimated for heavy and super-heavy nuclei
with a degree of confidence not previously attainable.
- Thomas-Fermi model: We have developed a Thomas-Fermi model of average nuclear properties
capable of reproducing the binding energy and density of nuclear matter, the surface and
symmetry energies, the surface diffuseness, the optical potential (including its energy
and isospin dependence), and other properties. Moreover, fast and accurate numerical
techniques have been implemented solving the Thomas-Fermi equations for deformed
(fissioning) nuclear shapes. The foundation now exists for a reliable description
of the nuclear fluid in a range of applications, especially in astrophysics and
multifragmentation.