QUANTUM AND STATISTICAL FLUCTUATIONS IN DYNAMICAL SYMMETRY-BREAKING

Dynamical symmetry breaking in an expanding nuclear system is investig ated in a semi-classical and quantum framework by employing a collecti ve transport model which is constructed to mimic the collective behavi or of expanding systems. It is shown that the fluctuations in collecti ve coordinates during the expansion are developed mainly by the enhanc ement of the initial fluctuations by the driving force, and that stati stical and quantum fluctuations have similar consequences. Tt is point ed out that the quantal fluctuations may play an important role in the development of instabilities by reducing the time needed to break the symmetry, and the possible role of quantal fluctuations in spinodal d ecomposition of nuclei is discussed, (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.