The ground state phase transition in Nd, Sm and Gd isotopes is investigated by using the Nilsson mean-field plus standard pairing model based on the exact solutions obtained from the extended Heine-Stieltjes correspondence. The results of the model calculations successfully reproduce the critical phenomena observed experimentally in the odd-even mass differences, odd-even differences of two-neutron separation energy, alpha-decay and double beta-decay energy of these isotopes. Since the odd-even effects are the most important signatures of pairing interactions in nuclei, the model calculations provide microscopic insight into the nature of the ground state phase transition manifested by the standard pairing interaction.                                               

Host: Prof. Yang Sun