Two Specific Applications of Semi-Classical Theories in Nuclear Physics

Two problems in nuclear physics are investigated using microscopic semi-classical models. The first model, developed to study heavy ion collisions, is based on the Boltzmann-Uehling-Uhlenbeck theory and has been extended to include one-body fluctuations. It has been successfully applied at low and intermediate energies and a comparison between simulations and an experiment done at the Michigan State University cyclotron facility has yielded very good agreement. The second is a nuclear structure model based on the Thomas-Fermi theory and describes nuclear rotations. It has been used to calculate nuclear shapes and limiting angular momenta across the periodic table. It has been found that it breaches the gap between classical Liquid Drop calculations and quantum Hartree-Fock calculations. Agreement with experimental results is satisfactory.