Multiscale physics of atomic nuclei from first principles

Multiscale physics of atomic nuclei from first principles

26 Mar 2024 | Z. H. Sun, A. Ekström, C. Forssén, G. Hagen, G. R. Jansen, T. Papenbrock
This paper presents a comprehensive study of the multiscale physics of atomic nuclei using a unified and non-perturbative quantum many-body framework rooted in quantum chromodynamics (QCD). The authors employ chiral effective field theory to model nuclear forces and coupled-cluster theory to compute binding energies and collective excitations. The framework captures both short-range (dynamic) and long-range (static) correlations, enabling accurate descriptions of nuclear deformation and collective phenomena. The study focuses on neutron-rich neon and magnesium isotopes, revealing coexisting spherical and deformed shapes in $^{30}Ne$ and highlighting the breakdown of the magic neutron number N=20 near the dripline. The results show that nuclei like $^{32,34}Ne$ are strongly deformed and collective, with electromagnetic quadrupole transitions accurately reproduced. The authors also perform a global sensitivity analysis, finding that subleading singlet S-wave contacts and pion-nucleon couplings significantly impact nuclear deformation. The work demonstrates how microscopic nuclear forces generate multiscale physics, capturing emergent phenomena in finite fermion systems. The methods developed provide a robust framework for understanding nuclear structure and dynamics, bridging the gap between QCD and nuclear observables. The study underscores the importance of symmetry projection and the role of three-nucleon forces in shaping nuclear properties, offering insights into shape coexistence and the behavior of nuclei near the dripline.This paper presents a comprehensive study of the multiscale physics of atomic nuclei using a unified and non-perturbative quantum many-body framework rooted in quantum chromodynamics (QCD). The authors employ chiral effective field theory to model nuclear forces and coupled-cluster theory to compute binding energies and collective excitations. The framework captures both short-range (dynamic) and long-range (static) correlations, enabling accurate descriptions of nuclear deformation and collective phenomena. The study focuses on neutron-rich neon and magnesium isotopes, revealing coexisting spherical and deformed shapes in $^{30}Ne$ and highlighting the breakdown of the magic neutron number N=20 near the dripline. The results show that nuclei like $^{32,34}Ne$ are strongly deformed and collective, with electromagnetic quadrupole transitions accurately reproduced. The authors also perform a global sensitivity analysis, finding that subleading singlet S-wave contacts and pion-nucleon couplings significantly impact nuclear deformation. The work demonstrates how microscopic nuclear forces generate multiscale physics, capturing emergent phenomena in finite fermion systems. The methods developed provide a robust framework for understanding nuclear structure and dynamics, bridging the gap between QCD and nuclear observables. The study underscores the importance of symmetry projection and the role of three-nucleon forces in shaping nuclear properties, offering insights into shape coexistence and the behavior of nuclei near the dripline.
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