Tensor correlations in the unitary correlation operator method

We present a unitary correlation operator that explicitly induces into shell model type many-body states short ranged two-body correlations caused by the strong repulsive core and the pronounced tensor part of the nucleon-nucleon interaction. Alternatively an effective Hamiltonian can be defined by applying this unitary correlator to the realistic nucleon-nucleon interaction. The momentum space representation shows that realistic interactions which differ in their short range behaviour are mapped on the same correlated Hamiltonian, indicating a successful provision for the correlations at high momenta. Calculations for He-4 using the one- and two-body part of the correlated Hamiltonian compare favorably with exact many-body methods. For heavier nuclei like O-16 and Ca-40 where exact many-body calculations are not possible we compare our results with other approximations. The correlated single-particle momentum distributions describe the occupation of states above the Fermi momentum. The Unitary Correlation Operator Method (UCOM) can be used in mean-field and shell model configuration spaces that are not able to describe these repulsive and tensor correlations explicitly. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.