Physics of radioactive nuclear beams: Theoretical perspective

One of the main frontiers of nuclear structure today is the physics of radioactive nuclear beams. Thanks to developments in experimental technology, we are on the verge of invading new territory of extremeN/Z ratios in an unprecedented way. Experiments with radioactive beams will make it possible to look closely into many aspects of the nuclear many-body problem. What makes this subject both exciting and difficult is: (i) the weak binding and corresponding closeness of the particle continuum, implying a large diffuseness of the nuclear surface and extreme spatial dimensions characterizing the outermost nucleons, and (ii) access to the exotic combinations of proton and neutron numbers which offers prospects for completely new structural phenomena.