Pictures of quantum nuclear rotation beyond the correspondence principle

Abstract

We analyze the time evolution of simple nuclear rotational wave packets (WP) called circular, linear or elliptic, depending on squeezing parameter $\eta$, assuming that $E=\hbar\omega_0 I(I+1)$. The scenario of fractional revivals found by Averbukh and Perelman is adapted to symmetric WP and compared to that which holds for asymmetric WP. In both cases various shapes are identified under these lines in particular many cases of cloning. 'Mutants' WP are found most often. Finally the time evolution of a WP formed by Coulomb excitation on $^{238}$U and calculated by semiclassical theory is also presented.