Electric monopole transitions from low energy excitations in nuclei

Electric monopole (E0) properties are studied across the entire nuclear mass surface. Besides an introductory discussion of various model results (shell model, geometric vibrational and rotational rho(2)(E0), models, algebraic models), we point out that many of the largest E0 transition strengths, are associated with shape mixing. We discuss in detail the manifestation of E0 transitions and present extensive data for single-closed shell nuclei, vibrational nuclei, well-deformed nuclei, nuclei that exhibit sudden ground-state changes, and nuclei that exhibit shape coexistence and intruder states. We also pay attention to light nuclei, odd-A nuclei, and illustrate a suggested relation between rho(2)(E0) and isotopic shifts. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V, All rights reserved.