A NEW MICROSCOPIC VIEW OF NUCLEAR DEFORMATION
The microscopic origin of deformation for heavy nuclei is discussed. Evidence is presented that the systematic features of nuclear deformation are determined primarily by filling of the normal-parity shell model orbitals of the valence shells, and that the abnormal-parity orbitals play crucial but subsidiary roles. This is in accord with the point of view underlying the Fermion Dynamical Symmetry Model. In addition, we demonstrate that the deformation systematics of the FDSM are consistent with those of the Nilsson model, despite their very different starting points, and that the assumptions of the FDSM are consistent with the assertion that the n-p quadrupole-quadrupole residual interaction is the essential reason for deformation. Finally, application of the same principles to superdeformation suggests that abnormal parity orbitals have a much more direct influence on superdeformation than on normal deformation.