Excited nuclear states and K-isomers in the projected shell model

The study of nuclear isomer properties and the isomer applications is a current research focus of nuclear physics and nuclear astrophysics. Theoretical description of nuclear isomers, the surrounding states, and the interplay of them becomes an important issue. In this article, we present the projected shell model method for describing excited nuclear states in general, and for treating K-isomers in particular. With some examples, we emphasize how to apply the modern nuclear many-body technique to calculate K-isomers and normal excited states on an equal footing.