Angular velocity: a new dimension in nuclei

Nuclei can be studied from their ground states (approx.O(h/2π)) up to angular momenta of order 100 (h/2π), where they are literally pulled apart by centrifugal effects. This range of angular momenta can be viewed as resulting from 'cranking' the nucleus around a 'rotation' axis, where the critical variable is the cranking velocity. The calculated response of nuclei to such an imposed angular velocity corresponds well with recent observations, and includes a rich and varied interplay of collective and single-particle phenomena. (author)