Properties of finite nuclei in the modified quark-meson coupling model

The modified quark-meson coupling (MQMC) model is applied to describe the properties of finite nuclei. The concept of a density-dependent bag constant is used to calibrate the model at equilibrium nuclear matter density. By a redefinition of the scalar meson field, the MQMC model can be cast in a form similar to a quantum hydrodynamics (QHD) type mean-field model. Binding energies, charge radii, and single-particle spectra of spherical nuclei are analyzed and compared with QHD calculations and with results based on the original quark-meson coupling model. The accurate reproduction of the effective nucleon mass in the MQMC model leads to a realistic description of single-particle spectra and spin-orbit splittings. Changes of the internal quark structure of the nucleon in the nuclear environment are also discussed.