Solitonic Fullerene Structures in Light Atomic Nuclei

Richard A. Battye and Paul M. Sutcliffe
Phys. Rev. Lett. 86, 3989 – Published 30 April 2001
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Abstract

The Skyrme model is a classical field theory which has topological soliton solutions. These solitons are candidates for describing nuclei, with an identification between the numbers of solitons and nucleons. We have computed numerically, using two different minimization algorithms, minimum energy configurations for up to 22 solitons. We find, remarkably, that the solutions for seven or more solitons have nucleon density isosurfaces in the form of polyhedra made of hexagons and pentagons. Precisely these structures arise, though at the much larger molecular scale, in the chemistry of carbon shells, where they are known as fullerenes.

  • Received 22 December 2000

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.86.3989

©2001 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Richard A. Battye1 and Paul M. Sutcliffe2

  • 1Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, Centre for Mathematical Sciences, University of Cambridge, Wilberforce Road, Cambridge CB3 OWA, United Kingdom
  • 2Institute of Mathematics, University of Kent at Canterbury, Canterbury CT2 7NF, United Kingdom

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Vol. 86, Iss. 18 — 30 April 2001

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