The interacting boson model (IBM) is a model innuclear physics in which
nucleons (protons or neutrons) pair up, essentially
acting as a single particle with boson properties, with
integral spin of either 2 (d-boson) or 0 (s-boson). They correspond to a quintuplet and singlet, i.e. 6 states.
It is sometimes known as the Interacting boson approximation (IBA).[1]: 7
The IBM1/IBM-I model treats both types of nucleons the same and considers only pairs of nucleons coupled to
total angular momentum 0 and 2, called respectively, s and d bosons.
The IBM2/IBM-II model treats protons and neutrons separately.
Both models are restricted to nuclei with even numbers of protons and neutrons.[1]: 9
Regions of differently shaped nuclei, as predicted by the Interacting Boson Approximation[2]
The model can be used to predict vibrational and rotational modes of non-spherical nuclei.[2]