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.

Atlas of Data 4 is a continuation of the previously published Atlases of Data 1–3. Here, we consider inelastic scattering of polarized protons in a wide range of their energies with the excitation of normal-parity states of (s–d) shell nuclei. To analyze differential cross sections and analyzing powers, the 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 the low density. This study demonstrates the use of the Kelly model for medium modifications to the two-nucleon effective interaction, based upon the results of nuclear matter theory. A number of specific examples are provided to show that the interaction properties primarily depend upon the local density in the interaction region, and have a very weak dependence on 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 was fitted from 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.