Interpretation of the Wigner Energy as due to RPA Correlations

Abstract

In a schematic model with equidistant fourfold degenerate single-nucleon levels, a conventional isovector pairing force and a symmetry force, the RPA correlation energy rises almost linearly with the isospin T, thus producing a Wigner term in accordance with the empirical proportionality of the symmetry energy to T(T+1).

Comments: 6 pages incl. 1 figure, version to be published in Physics Letters B