Although the potential determined the space-dependent wavefunction, there was no limitation imposed on the possible wavenumbers and energies involved. An infinite number of continuous energies were po...Although the potential determined the space-dependent wavefunction, there was no limitation imposed on the possible wavenumbers and energies involved. An infinite number of continuous energies were possible solutions to the time-independent Schrödinger equation. In this chapter, we want instead to describe systems which are best described as particles confined inside a potential.
Nuclei are quantum systems, and as such must be described by a quantum Hamiltonian. Fortunately nuclear energies are much smaller than masses, so that a description in terms of non-relativistic quantu...Nuclei are quantum systems, and as such must be described by a quantum Hamiltonian. Fortunately nuclear energies are much smaller than masses, so that a description in terms of non-relativistic quantum mechanics is possible. Such a description is not totally trivial since we have to deal with quantum systems containing many particles. Rather then solving such complicated systems, we often resort to models.
