The use of Gaussian approximations in nuclear calculations

Gaussian approximations can be extremely useful in calculations involving deformed nuclei. In particular, Nilsson type wave functions of a deformed Saxon–Wood type single-particle potential can be evaluated extremely rapidly by using Gaussians to describe the potential. Furthermore, a single 6-Gaussian approximation to the Coulomb interaction can be used to calculate the Coulomb energy to an appropriate accuracy for both light and heavy nuclei.