Collective Model

Prof. T. K. Umesh
Professor in Physics
DoS in Physics
University of Mysore
Mysore

Collective motion of nucleons

The Shell model has been successful in predicting many properties and regu-
larities observed in several nucleides. But there are certain aspects which it
cannot explain. According to Shell model, the excited states are formed when-
ever one or more nucleons are raised from the ground state to the predicted
excited states. There are many known cases in which the excited states are
formed in an altogether different manner and are not predicted by the Shell
model. The measured magnetic and quadrupole moments deviate considerably
from the ones calculated using the single particle Shell model, in which the
closed shells forming the nuclear core do not have any role. It may be possible
to explain these moments by assuming that they result from an admixture of
several states but it is very tedious.
A simpler explanation was given on the basis of another model called Col-
lective model, first suggested by J. RAinwater. A quantitative development was
made by A. Bohr and B. Mottelson. According to this model the shape and the
angular momentum of the core plays an important part. The excited states and
the magnetic moments are the result of collective motion of many nucleons and
not just of those nucleons that are outside the closed shell. Thus, the collective
model incorporates the properties of the Shell model and the liquid drop model.
According to the single particle model, the nucleons in the nucleus move
independently in a real potential, V (r). But in the collective model viewpoint,
the spherically symmetric potential can undergo a deformation in its shape as a
result of the motion of the nucleon or nucleons around the core. This causes the
core to lose its spherical symmetry and it becomes elongated in the direction
of the orbital nucleon. The shape of the core is decided by the shape of the
potential. The collective motion of the nucleons is described as a vibrational
motion about the equilibrium position and a rotational motion that describes
the deformed shape of the nucleus.
Collective Model Prof. T. K. Umesh

Rotational states of Nuclei

Theory
Let us consider the collective rotational motion of nuclei which have axial sym-
metry. This is similar to the rotation of a symmetric top.

For the description, two sets of coordinate systems are used

(i) the body axis (1, 2, 3) frame
(ii) the space axes frame (x, y, z)
It is assumed that the energy due to rotation is quantized, and it requires the
introduction of another quantum number. The total angular momentum is not
simply J~ but it is
I~ = J~ + R
~

where R is the rotational quantum number. If ψrot are the eigen functions then
we can write
I 2 ψrot = I(I + 1)ψrot
IZ ψrot = M ψrot
I3 ψrot = Kψrot
Treating the nucleus of interest as a symmetric top rigid rotator we can write,
3
X ~2 2
H= I
i=1
2gi i

with I1 = I2 6= I3 = I, the components of the moments of inertia.

~2 2 ~2 2
∴H= (I1 + I22 ) + I
2g 2g3 3

2
Collective Model Prof. T. K. Umesh

~2 2 ~2 2
= (I − I32 ) + I
2g 2g3 3
~2 2
adding and subtracting 2g I3 we get,

~2 2 ~2 2 ~2 2
H= (I − I32 ) + I + I
2g 2g3 3 2g 3

~2 2 ~2 I32 1
 
2 1
= (I − 2I3 ) + +
2g 2 g3 g
~2 2
∴H= (I − 2I32 ) + Hnucleon
2g
Hψrot = Eψrot
2
 
~ 2 2
H= (I − 2I3 ) + Hnucleon ψrot
2g
~2 ~2 K 2 1
 
1
Erot = (I(I + 1) − 2K 2 ) + +
2g 2 g3 g

For Even-Even nuclei

Intrinsic spin = 0, K = 0

~2
∴ Erot = (I(I + 1))
2g
Also parity is given by
ρψ = +ψ = (−1)I ψ
∴ I is necessarily even. ∴ The states are given by I = 0, 2, 4, 6, .....etc.

6~2 20~2 42~2

E1 = 0, E2 = E3 = E4 = .....
2g 2g 2g

Thus, the lowest rotational energy state of the even-even nuclei is 0+ . The first
excited state is 2+ .
The energy levels are in the ratio

E3 : E2 = 3.33, E4 : E3 = 2.1 .....

180
Experimental situation matches this description. Fro eg., for 72 Hf deter-
mined states are as shown below,
. MeV
10+ 1.142
8+ 1.084
6+ 0.64
4+ 0.309
2+ 0.093

3
Collective Model Prof. T. K. Umesh

0+ 0

E2 0.309
= = 3.32
E1 0.0093
E3
≈ 2.1
E2

For odd A nuclei

~2
Erot = (I(I + 1) − 2K 2 ) + Enucleon ≡ EI
2g
~2
EK = (K(K + 1) − 2K 2 ) + Enucleon
2g
~2
EK+1 = ((K + 1)(K + 2) − 2K 2 ) + Enucleon
2g
~2
EK+2 = ((K + 2)(K + 3) − 2K 2 ) + Enucleon
2g

EK+2 − EK (K + 2)(K + 3) − 2K 2 − K(K + 1) − 2K 2

∴ =
(EK+1 − EK ) (K + 1)(K + 2) − 2K 2 − K(K + 1) − 2K 2
1
=2+
K +1

Question: If the energy of the I escited state (rotational level) of an even-

even nucleus is 0.32MeV and its spin is 2+ , what are the energies of 4+ , 6+ and
8+ states?

Ans: 1MeV, 2.1MeV and 3.5MeV.