Pairing and quartetting in exotic nuclei

A review is given of pair correlations in nuclei with an emphasis on the symmetry character of the superfluid solution which depends on (i) the isospin of the nucleus and (ii) the relative strength of the T=0 and T=1 pairing forces. The most general SO(8) model which accommodates neutrons and protons as well as T=0 and T=1 pairing, is solvable in three limits: only T=0 pairing, only T=1 pairing and equal strengths in the two channels. In these limits, the superfluid ground-state solution of N=Z nuclei exhibits a quartet structure. The competition between superfluidity and magicity is discussed with reference to integrable models. To cite this article: P. Van Isacker, C. R. Physique 4 (2003).