The zero-point energy correction and its effect on nuclear dynamics

Motivated by the feasibility of microscopic calculations of the nuclear collective motion the authors present a practical method for calculating the zero-point energy corrections on the potential energy surfaces. For the case of quadrupole motion, as described by Bohr's Hamiltonian, the zero-point energy corrections are of vibrational and rotational nature. They can be computed in the framework of a theory based on approximations to the generator coordinate method. The authors present simple prescriptions for the calculation of both quantities. The coupling of vibrational and rotational degrees of freedom at small deformations is dealt with in a simple way. The importance of the zero-point energy correction is exhibited in a static (Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov) and a dynamic study of 58Ni. (Auth.)