Fourth Quantum Thermodynamics Conference, Erice, Italy, 8 - 13 May 2016, pp.66-67
We solved the Schrödinger equation analytically for a nucleon confined within an atomic nucleus employing a generalized symmetrical Woods-Saxon potential. We consider bound and quasi-bound states separately. The behavior of the wave functions imply that, the nucleon is completely confined within the nucleus, with no decay probability for bound states. Whereas tunneling probabilities, corresponding to disintegration of the nucleus, arise for quasi-bound states. We have calculated the Helmholtz free energies, the internal energies, the entropies and the specific heat capacities of the system as functions of temperature, for the cases quasi-bound states are excluded and included. It is observed that, the internal energy and entropy increase when the quasi-bound states are included, whereas the Helmholtz free energy decreases at high temperatures. The internal energy has an inflection point at the first excited state, where the specific heat capacity passes through a maximum.