Particle Correlation Arising from Isospin Pairing in Light Nuclei

Abstract

We consider a new kind of particle correlation in light nuclei consisting of neutron-proton pairs in $T=0\mathrm{}$ states, which we call isospin pairing. The importance of such a correlation stems from the fact that the $n-p$ $T=0\mathrm{}$ force is dominant for $A\le 30$, especially for $N=Z$ nuclei. It is shown that such an isospin correlation is coherent and, among other things, can provide the necessary decrease in the ground-state band moment of inertia of $N=Z$ even-even nuclei. Detailed properties of the variational wave function are discussed. The possibility of understanding the deformation of light nuclei as a result of competition between $T=0\mathrm{}$ and $T=1\mathrm{}$ forces is pointed out.