Exact solution of the nuclear pairing problem

In many applications to finite Fermi-systems, the pairing problem has to be treated exactly. We suggest a numerical method of exact solution based on SU(2) quasispin algebras and demonstrate its simplicity and practicality. W e show that the treatment of binding energies with the use of the exact pai ring and uncorrelated monopole contribution of other residual interactions can serve as an effective alternative to the full shell-model diagonalizati on in spherical nuclei. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.