Phase transitions and the geometric properties of the interacting boson model

A line of first order phase transitions terminating in a second-order phase transition separates the parameter space of the interacting boson model into a vibrator region [U(59) limit] and a rotor region [SU(3) and O(6) limits]. This first order phase transition line is surrounded by two spinodal lines demarking the limits of metastable nuclear isomers. No other islands of metastability exist in this parameter space.NUCLEAR STRUCTURE Phase transitions, interacting boson model, critical properties, geometric properties.