Ab Initio Nuclear Reaction Theory with Applications to Astrophysics

TL;DR

This paper introduces ab initio nuclear reaction theory, focusing on the no-core shell model and its continuum extension, demonstrating its application to astrophysically relevant nuclear reactions with detailed computational results.

Contribution

It presents a comprehensive overview of ab initio approaches in nuclear physics, especially the no-core shell model with continuum, for modeling nuclear reactions relevant to astrophysics.

Findings

Successful ab initio calculations of radiative capture reactions

Application of no-core shell model with continuum to light nuclei

Insights into nuclear reactions important for astrophysics

Abstract

We present an introduction to ab initio nuclear theory with a focus on nuclear reactions. After a high-level overview of ab initio approaches in nuclear physics, we give a more detailed description of the no-core shell model technique equivalent to a large extent to configuration-interaction methods applied in quantum chemistry. We then introduce the no-core shell model with continuum approach that provides a quantum many-body description of nuclear reactions. After a brief review of nuclear reactions important for astrophysics, we present examples of results of ab initio calculations of radiative capture and transfer reactions in light nuclei.