arXiv:1609.02816·v1·High Energy Physics — Theory
Complex Geometry of Nuclei and Atoms
M.F. Atiyah🇬🇧 · N.S. Manton🇬🇧
Abstract
We propose a new geometrical model of matter, in which neutral atoms are modelled by compact, complex algebraic surfaces. Proton and neutron numbers are determined by a surface's Chern numbers. Equivalently, they are determined by combinations of the Hodge numbers, or the Betti numbers. Geometrical constraints on algebraic surfaces allow just a finite range of neutron numbers for a given proton number. This range encompasses the known isotopes.
Comments: 18 pages, 4 figures