Pauli repulsion of α-particles and the 3α overbinding problem

Abstract A microscopically substantiated αα potential model is proposed. In contrast to the conventional resonating group method spanning a restricted allowed space, the new potential operates in the complete relative motion space. The inclusion of the so-called forbidden space assures a more realistic description of the short-ranged Pauli repulsion of two α-particles. In comparison to other frequently used αα potentials, it is demonstrated that a careful treatment of the Pauli repulsion becomes essential in the 3α system. Unlike previous results, a reasonable value for the 3α binding energy is obtained.