Scattering of light nuclei

TL;DR

This paper introduces an innovative ab initio method combining the no-core shell model with the resonating-group method to accurately describe both bound and scattering states in light nuclei, addressing longstanding challenges in nuclear physics.

Contribution

It presents a new microscopic approach that integrates realistic interactions and cluster descriptions to improve the modeling of nuclear scattering and reactions.

Findings

Successfully applied to neutron and proton scattering on light nuclei

Capable of describing both bound and scattering states simultaneously

Progress towards modeling more complex nuclear reactions

Abstract

The exact treatment of nuclei starting from the constituent nucleons and the fundamental interactions among them has been a long-standing goal in nuclear physics. Above all nuclear scattering and reactions, which require the solution of the many-body quantum-mechanical problem in the continuum, represent an extraordinary theoretical as well as computational challenge for {\em ab initio} approaches. We present a new {\em ab initio} many-body approach which derives from the combination of the {\em ab initio} no-core shell model with the resonating-group method [4]. By complementing a microscopic cluster technique with the use of realistic interactions, and a microscopic and consistent description of the nucleon clusters, this approach is capable of describing simultaneously both bound and scattering states in light nuclei. We will discuss applications to neutron and proton scattering on $s$- and light $p$-shell nuclei using realistic nucleon-nucleon potentials, and outline the progress toward the treatment of more complex reactions.