Nuclear Shell Model
Nuclear Shell Model
In nuclear physics, atomic physics, and nuclear chemistry, the nuclear shell model utilizes the Pauli
exclusion principle to model the structure of atomic nuclei in terms of energy levels.[1] The first shell
model was proposed by Dmitri Ivanenko (together with E. Gapon) in 1932. The model was developed in
1949 following independent work by several physicists, most notably Maria Goeppert Mayer and J. Hans
D. Jensen, who received the 1963 Nobel Prize in Physics for their contributions to this model, and
Eugene Wigner, who received the Nobel Prize alongside them for his earlier groundlaying work on the
atomic nuclei.[2]
The nuclear shell model is partly analogous to the atomic shell model, which describes the arrangement
of electrons in an atom, in that a filled shell results in better stability. When adding nucleons (protons and
neutrons) to a nucleus, there are certain points where the binding energy of the next nucleon is
significantly less than the last one. This observation that there are specific magic quantum numbers of
nucleons (2, 8, 20, 28, 50, 82, and 126) that are more tightly bound than the following higher number is
the origin of the shell model.
The shells for protons and neutrons are independent of each other. Therefore, there can exist both "magic
nuclei", in which one nucleon type or the other is at a magic number, and "doubly magic quantum
nuclei", where both are. Due to variations in orbital filling, the upper magic numbers are 126 and,
speculatively, 184 for neutrons, but only 114 for protons, playing a role in the search for the so-called
island of stability. Some semi-magic numbers have been found, notably Z = 40, which gives the nuclear
shell filling for the various elements; 16 may also be a magic number.[3]
To get these numbers, the nuclear shell model starts with an average potential with a shape somewhere
between the square well and the harmonic oscillator. To this potential, a spin-orbit term is added. Even so,
the total perturbation does not coincide with the experiment, and an empirical spin-orbit coupling must be
added with at least two or three different values of its coupling constant, depending on the nuclei being
studied.
The magic numbers of nuclei, as well as other properties, can be arrived at by approximating the model
with a three-dimensional harmonic oscillator plus a spin–orbit interaction. A more realistic but
complicated potential is known as the Woods–Saxon potential.
1
+2
+1
1
−2
1
+2
1 1 0 The empirical proton and neutron shell gaps are numerically obtained from
1
−2 observed binding energies.[4] Distinct shell gaps are shown at labeled
magic numbers, and at .
1
+2
−1
1
−2
1
+2
0 0
1
−2
1
+2
+2
1
−2
1
+2
+1
1
−2
2
1
+2
2 0
1
−2
1
+2
−1
1
−2
1
+2
−2
1
−2
Nuclei are built by adding protons and neutrons. These will always fill the lowest available level, with the
first two protons filling level zero, the next six protons filling level one, and so on. As with electrons in
the periodic table, protons in the outermost shell will be relatively loosely bound to the nucleus if there
are only a few protons in that shell because they are farthest from the center of the nucleus. Therefore,
nuclei with a full outer proton shell will have a higher nuclear binding energy than other nuclei with a
similar total number of protons. The same is true for neutrons.
This means that the magic numbers are expected to be those in which all occupied shells are full. In
accordance with the experiment, we get 2 (level 0 full) and 8 (levels 0 and 1 full) for the first two
numbers. However, the full set of magic numbers does not turn out correctly. These can be computed as
follows:
for all integer k. This gives the following magic numbers: 2, 8, 20, 40, 70, 112, ..., which
agree with experiment only in the first three entries. These numbers are twice the
tetrahedral numbers (1, 4, 10, 20, 35, 56, ...) from the Pascal Triangle.
In particular, the first six shells are:
level 0: 2 states (ℓ = 0) = 2.
level 1: 6 states (ℓ = 1) = 6.
level 2: 2 states (ℓ = 0) + 10 states (ℓ = 2) = 12.
level 3: 6 states (ℓ = 1) + 14 states (ℓ = 3) = 20.
level 4: 2 states (ℓ = 0) + 10 states (ℓ = 2) + 18 states (ℓ = 4) = 30.
level 5: 6 states (ℓ = 1) + 14 states (ℓ = 3) + 22 states (ℓ = 5) = 42.
where for every ℓ there are 2ℓ+1 different values of ml and 2 values of ms, giving a total of 4ℓ+2 states for
every specific level.
These numbers are twice the values of triangular numbers from the Pascal Triangle: 1, 3, 6, 10, 15, 21, ....
1
level 0 (n = 0): 2 states (j = 2 ). Even parity.
1 3
level 1 (n = 1): 2 states (j = 2 ) + 4 states (j = 2 ) = 6. Odd parity.
1 3 5
level 2 (n = 2): 2 states (j = 2 ) + 4 states (j = 2 ) + 6 states (j = 2 ) = 12. Even parity.
1 3 5 7
level 3 (n = 3): 2 states (j = 2 ) + 4 states (j = 2 ) + 6 states (j = 2 ) + 8 states (j = 2 ) = 20. Odd
parity.
1 3 5 7
level 4 (n = 4): 2 states (j = 2 ) + 4 states (j = 2 ) + 6 states (j = 2 ) + 8 states (j = 2 ) + 10
9
states (j = 2 ) = 30. Even parity.
1 3 5 7
level 5 (n = 5): 2 states (j = 2 ) + 4 states (j = 2 ) + 6 states (j = 2 ) + 8 states (j = 2 ) + 10
9 11
states (j = 2 ) + 12 states (j = 2 ) = 42. Odd parity.
where for every j there are 2j + 1 different states from different values of mj.
Due to the spin–orbit interaction, the energies of states of the same level but with different j will no
longer be identical. This is because in the original quantum numbers, when is parallel to , the
1
interaction energy is positive, and in this case j = ℓ + s = ℓ + 2 . When is anti-parallel to (i.e. aligned
1
oppositely), the interaction energy is negative, and in this case j = ℓ − s = ℓ − 2 . Furthermore, the strength
of the interaction is roughly proportional to ℓ.
9
The 10 states with j = 2 come from ℓ = 4 and s parallel to ℓ. Thus they have a positive spin–
orbit interaction energy.
7
The 8 states with j = 2 came from ℓ = 4 and s anti-parallel to ℓ. Thus they have a negative
spin–orbit interaction energy.
5
The 6 states with j = 2 came from ℓ = 2 and s parallel to ℓ. Thus they have a positive spin–
9
orbit interaction energy. However, its magnitude is half compared to the states with j = 2 .
3
The 4 states with j = 2 came from ℓ = 2 and s anti-parallel to ℓ. Thus they have a negative
spin–orbit interaction energy. However, its magnitude is half compared to the states with j =
7
2 .
1
The 2 states with j = 2 came from ℓ = 0 and thus have zero spin–orbit interaction energy.
1
1st shell: 2 states (n = 0, j = 2 ).
1 3
2nd shell: 6 states (n = 1, j = 2 or 2 ).
Low-lying energy levels in a single-
1 3 5 particle shell model with an
3rd shell: 12 states (n = 2, j = 2 , 2 or 2 ).
oscillator potential (with a small
7 negative l2 term) without spin–orbit
4th shell: 8 states (n = 3, j = 2 ).
(left) and with spin–orbit (right)
1 3 5 9
5th shell: 22 states (n = 3, j = 2 , 2 or 2 ; n = 4, j = 2 ). interaction. The number to the right
of a level indicates its degeneracy,
1 3 5 7 11
6th shell: 32 states (n = 4, j = 2 , 2 , 2 or 2 ; n = 5, j = 2 ). (2j+1). The boxed integers indicate
1 3 5 7 9 the magic numbers.
7th shell: 44 states (n = 5, j = 2 , 2 , 2 , 2 or 2 ; n = 6, j =
13
2 ).
1 3 5 7 9 11 15
8th shell: 58 states (n = 6, j = 2 , 2 , 2 , 2 , 2 or 2 ; n = 7, j = 2 ).
and so on.
Note that the numbers of states after the 4th shell are doubled triangular numbers plus two. Spin–orbit
coupling causes so-called 'intruder levels' to drop down from the next higher shell into the structure of the
previous shell. The sizes of the intruders are such that the resulting shell sizes are themselves increased to
the next higher doubled triangular numbers from those of the harmonic oscillator. For example, 1f2p has
20 nucleons, and spin–orbit coupling adds 1g9/2 (10 nucleons), leading to a new shell with 30 nucleons.
1g2d3s has 30 nucleons, and adding intruder 1h11/2 (12 nucleons) yields a new shell size of 42, and so
on.
2
8=2+6
20 = 2 + 6 + 12
28 = 2 + 6 + 12 + 8
50 = 2 + 6 + 12 + 8 + 22
82 = 2 + 6 + 12 + 8 + 22 + 32
126 = 2 + 6 + 12 + 8 + 22 + 32 + 44
184 = 2 + 6 + 12 + 8 + 22 + 32 + 44 + 58
and so on. This gives all the observed magic numbers and also predicts a new one (the so-called island of
stability) at the value of 184 (for protons, the magic number 126 has not been observed yet, and more
complicated theoretical considerations predict the magic number to be 114 instead).
Another way to predict magic (and semi-magic) numbers is by laying out the idealized filling order (with
1 1
spin–orbit splitting but energy levels not overlapping). For consistency, s is split into j = 2 and j = −2
components with 2 and 0 members respectively. Taking the leftmost and rightmost total counts within
sequences bounded by / here gives the magic and semi-magic numbers.
The rules for the ordering of the nucleus shells are similar to Hund's Rules of the atomic shells, however,
unlike its use in atomic physics, the completion of a shell is not signified by reaching the next n, as such
the shell model cannot accurately predict the order of excited nuclei states, though it is very successful in
3 1 5
predicting the ground states. The order of the first few terms are listed as follows: 1s, 1p2 , 1p2 , 1d2 , 2s,
3
1d 2 ... For further clarification on the notation refer to the article on the Russell–Saunders term symbol.
For nuclei farther from the magic quantum numbers one must add the assumption that due to the relation
between the strong nuclear force and total angular momentum, protons or neutrons with the same n tend
to form pairs of opposite angular momentum. Therefore, a nucleus with an even number of protons and
an even number of neutrons has 0 spin and positive parity. A nucleus with an even number of protons and
an odd number of neutrons (or vice versa) has the parity of the last neutron (or proton), and the spin equal
to the total angular momentum of this neutron (or proton). By "last" we mean the properties coming from
the highest energy level.
In the case of a nucleus with an odd number of protons and an odd number of neutrons, one must
consider the total angular momentum and parity of both the last neutron and the last proton. The nucleus
parity will be a product of theirs, while the nucleus spin will be one of the possible results of the sum of
their angular momenta (with other possible results being excited states of the nucleus).
The ordering of angular momentum levels within each shell is according to the principles described
above – due to spin–orbit interaction, with high angular momentum states having their energies shifted
downwards due to the deformation of the potential (i.e. moving from a harmonic oscillator potential to a
more realistic one). For nucleon pairs, however, it is often energetically favourable to be at high angular
momentum, even if its energy level for a single nucleon would be higher. This is due to the relation
between angular momentum and the strong nuclear force.
The nuclear magnetic moment of neutrons and protons is partly predicted by this simple version of the
shell model. The magnetic moment is calculated through j, ℓ and s of the "last" nucleon, but nuclei are not
in states of well-defined ℓ and s. Furthermore, for odd-odd nuclei, one has to consider the two "last"
nucleons, as in deuterium. Therefore, one gets several possible answers for the nuclear magnetic moment,
one for each possible combined ℓ and s state, and the real state of the nucleus is a superposition of them.
Thus the real (measured) nuclear magnetic moment is somewhere in between the possible answers.
The electric dipole of a nucleus is always zero, because its ground state has a definite parity. The matter
density (ψ2, where ψ is the wavefunction) is always invariant under parity. This is usually the situation
with the atomic electric dipole.
Higher electric and magnetic multipole moments cannot be predicted by this simple version of the shell
model for reasons similar to those in the case of deuterium.
These residual interactions are incorporated through shell model calculations in a truncated model space
(or valence space). This space is spanned by a basis of many-particle states where only single-particle
states in the model space are active. The Schrödinger equation is solved on this basis, using an effective
Hamiltonian specifically suited for the model space. This Hamiltonian is different from the one of free
nucleons as, among other things, it has to compensate for excluded configurations.[6]
One can do away with the average
potential approximation entirely by
extending the model space to the
previously inert core and treating all
single-particle states up to the model
space truncation as active. This forms
the basis of the no-core shell model,
which is an ab initio method. It is
necessary to include a three-body
interaction in such calculations to
achieve agreement with
experiments. [7]
Related models
Igal Talmi developed a method to obtain the information from experimental data and use it to calculate
and predict energies which have not been measured. This method has been successfully used by many
nuclear physicists and has led to a deeper understanding of nuclear structure. The theory which gives a
good description of these properties was developed. This description turned out to furnish the shell model
basis of the elegant and successful interacting boson model.
A model derived from the nuclear shell model is the alpha particle model developed by Henry Margenau,
Edward Teller, J. K. Pering, T. H. Skyrme, also sometimes called the Skyrme model.[8][9] Note, however,
that the Skyrme model is usually taken to be a model of the nucleon itself, as a "cloud" of mesons (pions),
rather than as a model of the nucleus as a "cloud" of alpha particles.
See also
Nuclear
technology portal
Physics portal
Nuclear structure
Table of nuclides
Liquid drop model
Isomeric shift
Interacting boson model
References
1. "Shell Model of Nucleus" (http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/nuclear/shell.html).
HyperPhysics.
2. Nobel Lectures, Physics 1963-1970 (https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/physics/1963/ceremo
ny-speech/). Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier Publishing Company. 1972. Retrieved
May 19, 2023.
3. Ozawa, A.; Kobayashi, T.; Suzuki, T.; Yoshida, K.; Tanihata, I. (2000). "New Magic Number,
N=16, near the Neutron Drip Line". Physical Review Letters. 84 (24): 5493–5.
Bibcode:2000PhRvL..84.5493O (https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2000PhRvL..84.5493O).
doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.84.5493 (https://doi.org/10.1103%2FPhysRevLett.84.5493).
PMID 10990977 (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10990977). (this refers to the nuclear drip
line)
4. Wang, Meng; Audi, G.; Kondev, F. G.; Huang, W.J.; Naimi, S.; Xu, Xing (March 2017). "The
AME2016 atomic mass evaluation (II). Tables, graphs and references". Chinese Physics C.
41 (3): 030003. Bibcode:2017ChPhC..41c0003W (https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2017C
hPhC..41c0003W). doi:10.1088/1674-1137/41/3/030003 (https://doi.org/10.1088%2F1674-1
137%2F41%2F3%2F030003). hdl:11858/00-001M-0000-0010-23E8-5 (https://hdl.handle.ne
t/11858%2F00-001M-0000-0010-23E8-5). ISSN 1674-1137 (https://search.worldcat.org/iss
n/1674-1137).
5. Caurier, E.; Martínez-Pinedo, G.; Nowacki, F.; Poves, A.; Zuker, A. P. (2005). "The shell
model as a unified view of nuclear structure". Reviews of Modern Physics. 77 (2): 427–488.
arXiv:nucl-th/0402046 (https://arxiv.org/abs/nucl-th/0402046).
Bibcode:2005RvMP...77..427C (https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2005RvMP...77..427C).
doi:10.1103/RevModPhys.77.427 (https://doi.org/10.1103%2FRevModPhys.77.427).
S2CID 119447053 (https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:119447053).
6. Coraggio, L.; Covello, A.; Gargano, A.; Itaco, N.; Kuo, T.T.S. (2009). "Shell-model
calculations and realistic effective interactions". Progress in Particle and Nuclear Physics.
62 (1): 135–182. arXiv:0809.2144 (https://arxiv.org/abs/0809.2144).
Bibcode:2009PrPNP..62..135C (https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2009PrPNP..62..135C).
doi:10.1016/j.ppnp.2008.06.001 (https://doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.ppnp.2008.06.001).
S2CID 18722872 (https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:18722872).
7. Barrett, B. R.; Navrátil, P.; Vary, J. P. (2013). "Ab initio no core shell model". Progress in
Particle and Nuclear Physics. 69: 131–181. arXiv:0902.3510 (https://arxiv.org/abs/0902.351
0). Bibcode:2013PrPNP..69..131B (https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2013PrPNP..69..131
B). doi:10.1016/j.ppnp.2012.10.003 (https://doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.ppnp.2012.10.003).
8. Skyrme, T. H. R. (February 7, 1961). "A Non-Linear Field Theory". Proceedings of the Royal
Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences. 260 (1300): 127–138.
Bibcode:1961RSPSA.260..127S (https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1961RSPSA.260..127
S). doi:10.1098/rspa.1961.0018 (https://doi.org/10.1098%2Frspa.1961.0018).
S2CID 122604321 (https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:122604321).
9. Skyrme, T. H. R. (March 1962). "A unified field theory of mesons and baryons". Nuclear
Physics. 31: 556–569. Bibcode:1962NucPh..31..556S (https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/19
62NucPh..31..556S). doi:10.1016/0029-5582(62)90775-7 (https://doi.org/10.1016%2F0029-
5582%2862%2990775-7).
Further reading
Talmi, Igal; de-Shalit, A. (1963). Nuclear Shell Theory. Academic Press. ISBN 978-0-486-
43933-4.
Talmi, Igal (1993). Simple Models of Complex Nuclei: The Shell Model and the Interacting
Boson Model. Harwood Academic Publishers. ISBN 978-3-7186-0551-4.
External links
Igal Talmi (November 24, 2010). On single nucleon wave functions (http://ribf.riken.jp/Lectur
e/Talmi-24Nov2010/). RIKEN Nishina Center.