| Abstract: | Second Coulomb energy differences, which in the present case are proportional to the tensor Coulomb energy, are calculated for 0+, T = 1 ground states in the region 18 ≦ A ≦ 42 using a shell model that includes a pairing interaction. The calculation is done with a mathematical formalism that includes p-n pairs as well as p-p and n-n pairs. Besides an enhancement of proton-pair Coulomb energies, the pairing interaction is responsible for lowering the Coulomb energy of N = Z members of isospin triplets and also gives rise to an important term in the second energy difference. Using pairing strengths derived from fitting energy levels for mass-18 and mass-42 nuclei, results of the calculation reproduce experimental second energy differences extremely well. |
