Statistical theory versus shell model in a large pf configuration space

Spectral distribution method and exact shell-model predictions for the stre ngth sums of different transition operators are compared in detail for the J = 0, T - T-z = 0 states of V-46 and Sc-50 using the full pf shell. Good a greement of both models is observed in the high level density region of the energy spectrum, where chaotic motion is dominant, and larger discrepancie s are observed in the ground state region, where nuclear motion is more reg ular. The agreement in the chaotic region becomes especially good in the 59 86 dimensional space of Sc-50, illustrating the quality of the statistical theory in large configuration spaces. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All ri ghts reserved.