NUCLEAR RESPONSE BEYOND MEAN FIELD-THEORY

An extension of the RPA equations is derived, with emphasis on the relation between the single-particle Green function and the polarization propagator. Including second order self-energy contributions the resulting particle-hole interaction includes the coupling to two-particle-two-hole (2p2h) states and the resulting response satisfies relevant conservation laws. This aspect of the theory is shown to be essential to obtain reliable and meaningful results for excitation strengths and to avoid ghost solutions. This method is applied to electromagnetic and charge exchange excitations in 48Ca up to 100 MeV. A G-matrix interaction based on meson exchange is used which takes care of short-range correlations. The results compare favourably with measured excitation strengths and electromagnetic form factors both at low energy as well as in the giant resonance region. Remaining discrepancies point in the direction of further strength reduction due to shortrange correlations as well as a possible stronger coupling to 2p2h states at low energy. © 1990.