The significant features of exchange symmetry are displayed by simple systems such as two identical, spinless fermions in a one-dimensional well with infinite walls. The conclusion is that the maxima of probability of the antisymmetrized wave function of these two fermions lie at the same positions as if a repulsive force (of unknown nature) was applied between these two fermions. This conclusion is combined with the solution of a mathematical problem dealing with the equilibrium of identical repulsive particles (of one or two kinds) on one or more spheres like neutrons and protons on nuclear shells. Such particles are at equilibrium only for specific numbers of particles and, in addition, if these particles lie on the vertices of regular polyhedra or their derivative polyhedra. Finally, this result leads to a pictorial representation of the structure of all closed shell nuclei. This representation could be used as a laboratory for determining nuclear properties and corresponding wave functions.
Ground-state energies, densities and momentum distributions in closed-shell nuclei calculated within a cluster expansion approach and realistic interactions
