Deuteron Width

Abstract

THE probability density of finding the last neutron and proton in a nucleus in a deuteron state is called the deuteron width in the nucleus. It is therefore directly proportional to the product of single particle fractional parentage coefficients¹ for the separation of the neutron and proton from the nucleus. The other factor building up the width is the statistical weight², which may be obtained as follows. The product of the wave functions of the last neutron and the last proton may be rewritten in terms of the relative and centre of mass co-ordinates of these particles. Multiplying the product with a suitable deuteron wave function of the Hulthen type, say, and integrating over the relative co-ordinate, one obtains the wave function of the deuteron moving about the core. The statistical weight can be obtained once this wave function is known. This prediction is based on the independent particle model of the nucleus.