Quadrupole moments and E2 transition rates in the Zr region with wave functions of the broken pair approximation

The E2 transition rates and the quadrupole moment of the first 2+ state for N=50 even A nuclei and for even Zr isotopes are calculated using the structure wave functions of the broken pair approximation, assuming Sr88 as an inert core. The broken pair approximation results are in excellent agreement with the corresponding shell model results obtained by using identical input information. This fully demonstrates the usefulness of the broken pair approximation as a valid, reliable, and practical approximation to the shell model. NUCLEAR STRUCTURE Shell model, broken pair approximation (BPA), generalized BPA, E2 transition rates, quadrupole moment, N=50 even A nuclei, even Zr isotopes.