Microscopic models for exotic nuclei

Starting from successful self-consistent mean-field models, this paper discusses why and how to go beyond the mean field approximation. To include long-range correlations from fluctuations in collective degrees of freedom, one has to consider symmetry restoration and configuration mixing, which give access to ground-state correlations and spectroscopy. PACS. 21.60.-n Nuclear structure models and methods – 21.60.Jz Hartree-Fock and random-phase approximations – 21.10.-k Properties of nuclei; nuclear energy levels – 21.10.Dr Binding energies and masses 1 Self-Consistent Mean-Field Models Self-consistent mean-field models are one of the standard approaches in nuclear structure theory, see Ref. [1] for a recent review. For heavy nuclei, they are the only fully microscopic method that can be applied systematically.