Nucleon Momentum and Density Distributions in Nuclei

The momentum distribution of the nucleons (protons and neutrons) in atomic nuclei is an important component of our knowledge of nuclear structure that determines many of the features of nuclear reactions, such as those involving knockout, inelastic scattering, or transfer processes at high energies. The distribution can be calculated from several nuclear models, and the correctness of the result assessed by using it in a reaction calculation and comparing the cross-section obtained with that found experimentally. These calculations have many difficulties, which are associated with the many-body nature of the problem and the effects of short-range correlations. The complexity of the subject means that many mathematical techniques are needed. This book discusses these techniques and shows how the results may be related to experimental measurements.Table of ContentTheoretical bases for the treatment of the density and momentum distribution; Local density formalism and general relation between nucleon momentum and density distributions; General considerations related to nucleon momentum distributions; Independent-particle model description; Beyond Hartree-Fock methods; Phenomenological correlation methods; Natural-orbital calculations of nuclear density and nucleon momentum distributions; Other phenomenological models: Experimental data related to the nucleon momentum distribution