Speaker: Peter Moller (T-16, LANL)

The macroscopic-microscopic method 101:Achievements, Capabilities and Limitations

It is often debated if the macroscopic-microscopic method with its simple single-particle interaction is still a viable method when we today can explore more sophisticated interactions in for example self-consistent Hartree-Fock models with two-body forces. To show why it is, I will discuss the origins of this method and its predecessors enormous importance for nuclear physics over the past 70 years. Of particular importance has been that it has become clear that it is just about as reliable when applied to unknown regions of nuclei as it is in the region where its parameters were adjusted. I will discuss its accomplishements in calculating nuclear ground-state masses and deformations, ground-state spins, beta-decay rates, and beta-delayed neutron-emission probabilities. Finally I will discuss some ongoing studies of fission barriers and nuclear shape isomerism.