The nucleon optical model is widely used to calculate the elastic scattering cross-sections and polarisations for the interaction of neutrons and protons with atomic nuclei. The optical model potentials not only describe the scattering but also provide the wave functions needed to analyse a wide range of nuclear reactions. They also unify many aspects of nuclear reactions and nuclear structure. This book consists of a comprehensive introduction to the subject and a selection of papers by the author describing the optical model in detail. It contains full references to the original literature with many examples of the application of the model to the analysis of experimental data.

Contemporary Models of the Atomic Nucleus discusses nuclear structure and properties, expounding contemporary theoretical concepts of the low-energy nuclear processes underlying in nuclear models. This book focuses on subjects such as the optical nuclear model, unified or collective model, and deuteron stripping reaction. Other topics discussed include the basic nuclear properties; shell model; theoretical analysis of the shell model; and radiative transitions and alpha-decay. The deuteron theory and the liquid drop nuclear model with its application to fission theory are also mentioned, but only briefly discussed. This publication benefits students and researchers conducting work on nuclear physics, specifically on the constituents and interactions of the atomic nucleus.

The aim of the book is to give a coherent and comprehensive account of quantum scattering theory with applications to atomic, molecular and nuclear systems. The motivation for this is to supply the necessary theoretical tools to calculate scattering observables of these many-body systems. Concepts which are seemingly different for atomic/molecular scattering from those of nuclear systems, are shown to be the same once physical units such as energy and length are diligently clarified. Many-body resonances excited in nuclear systems are the same as those in atomic systems and come under the name of Feshbach resonances. We also lean heavily on semi-classical methods to explain the physics of quantum scattering — especially the interference seen in the angle dependence of the cross section. Having in mind a wide readership, the book includes sections on scattering in two dimensions which is of use in surface physics. Several problems are also included at the end of each of the chapters.

Nuclear Reactions deals with the mechanisms of nuclear reactions and covers topics ranging from quantum mechanics and the compound nucleus to the optical model, nuclear structure and nuclear forces, and direct interactions. The structure of the atomic nucleus and capture of slow neutrons are also discussed, along with nuclear reactions at high energies, neutron capture and nuclear constitution, and elastic and inelastic diffraction scattering. This book is comprised of 17 chapters and begins with an overview of early successes and difficulties experienced by nuclear physics as a discipline, paying particular attention to early applications of quantum mechanics and reactions with neutrons. The next chapter explores the compound nuclear and considers the theory of Breit and Wigner, resonances in nuclear reactions, and the statistical model or compound nucleus model. The reader is methodically introduced to the optical model and elastic scattering experiments; nuclear structure and nuclear forces; and direct interactions. The remaining chapters look at the theory of the effect of resonance levels on artificial disintegration; fluctuations of nuclear reaction widths; scattering of high-energy neutrons by nuclei; and regularities in the total cross-sections for fast neutrons. This monograph will be a useful resource for nuclear scientists and physicists as well as undergraduate students who have taken a first course in quantum mechanics.