Fermi liquid, clustering, and structure factor in dilute warm nuclear matter

TL;DR

This paper connects Fermi liquid theory with cluster formation in dilute nuclear matter using a quantum statistical approach based on the structure factor, providing insights into thermodynamics and collective excitations at various densities.

Contribution

It introduces a quantum statistical framework that unifies Fermi liquid theory with cluster formation in dilute nuclear matter, extending the understanding of nuclear properties across densities.

Findings

Reproduces low-density results via virial coefficient and mass action law

Incorporates medium effects for higher densities

Links structure factor to thermodynamic and collective properties

Abstract

Properties of nuclear systems at subsaturation densities can be obtained from different approaches. We demonstrate the use of the density autocorrelation function which is related to the isothermal compressibility and, after integration, to the equation of state. This way we connect the Landau Fermi liquid theory well elaborated in nuclear physics with the approaches to dilute nuclear matter describing cluster formation. A quantum statistical approach is presented, based on the cluster decomposition of the polarization function. The fundamental quantity to be calculated is the dynamic structure factor. Comparing with the Landau Fermi liquid theory which is reproduced in lowest approximation, the account of bound state formation and continuum correlations gives the correct low-density result as described by the second virial coefficient and by the mass action law (nuclear statistical equilibrium). Going to higher densities, the inclusion of medium effects is more involved compared with other quantum statistical approaches, but the relation to the Landau Fermi liquid theory gives a promising approach to describe not only thermodynamic but also collective excitations and non-equilibrium properties of nuclear systems in a wide region of the phase diagram.