The present Atlas of Data is a supplement to the author’s lecture courses available online. It reviews various experiments on inelastic scattering of polarized protons. The Atlas is aimed at providing a clear explanation of modern experiments related to the spin of protons at the excitation of the 2⁺ and 4⁺ states of ^16,18О nuclei.

Studies that have become classic, among light nuclei, distinguish deformed nuclei of the ¹²C, ²⁴Mg,  ²⁸Si type and spherical nuclei of the ¹⁶О, ⁴⁰Ar, ⁴⁰Ca type. Here we focus on the nuclei of the first type. The collective model used for description characterizes the nucleus in terms of shape and orientation variables. Thus, the structure of low-lying excitation is assumed to be due to vibrations or rotations of nuclei distribution. In the processes of scattering from these nuclei, it is especially effective to select for analysis suitable transitions of the 0⁺ - 2⁺- 4⁺ type and apply modeling within the framework of coupled-channel (CC) or DWBA treatments.

The number of studies on inelastic proton scattering from the above-mentioned nuclei is enormous. Here we concentrate primarily on the nuclei ²⁴Mg and ²⁸Si (typical of this region). Moreover, we consider the scattering of polarized protons. The starting point will be experiments at low proton energies, E_p near 20 MeV, performed in CEN-Saclay. Then we will also survey experiments at intermediate values ​​of E_p (made at IUCF, Bloomington).

Finally, we would like to note that our analysis with different effective interactions in the case of the 2⁺ state of ¹⁸O clearly reveals a superiority in value of the empirical neutron transition density over the empirical proton transition density. There is every reason to believe that two valence neutrons in the outer shell of the ¹⁸O nucleus are responsible for this structural feature.

Atlas of Data 4 is a continuation of the previously published Atlases of Data 1–3. Its second edition is supplemented with new figures and additional references. Here, we consider inelastic scattering of polarized protons in a wide range of their energies with excitation of normal-parity states of (s–d) shell nuclei. To analyze differential cross sections and analyzing powers, proton transition densities, previously fitted to the available electron scattering data, are used.  Transition densities for some states have enough interior strength to sample the density dependence of the effective interaction. However, for other excitations, transition densities are more surface peaked, so in these cases transitions are sensitive to changes in the effective interaction for low density. Our study demonstrates the use of the Kelly model for medium modifications to the two-nucleon effective interaction, based upon results of nuclear matter theory. A number of specific examples are provided to show that interaction properties primarily depend upon the local density in the interaction region, and have a very weak dependence on the nucleus, state and deformation. One of the main goals of this work is to further advance the assessment of the radial structure of the excited states of the target nucleus. For this purpose, the neutron transition density for the lowest 2⁺ state of ¹⁸O  has been fitted from the proton scattering data. Prior to that, the reaction model was tested with minimal uncertainties in nuclear structure, using similar data for ¹⁶O, where, due to charge symmetry, the neutron transition density is equal to the proton density. The present analysis demonstrates the important role of neutrons in the ¹⁸O nucleus and is in satisfactory agreement with previous publications.

The Atlas of Data is recommended to students studying experimental nuclear physics at universities and polytechnic schools. It can be used as a guide to understanding elements of quantum mechanics. Such a guide, in the author’s opinion, can eliminate the existing gap in the available scientific literature.