Ab initio computations from 78Ni towards 70Ca along neutron number N = 50
Not Available
73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
Engineering topics
Papenbrock, T.
Publications and source records attributed to Papenbrock, T..
Scattering phase shifts from a quantum computer
We calculate two-body scattering phase shifts on a quantum computer using a leading order short-range effective field theory Hamiltonian. The algorithm combines the variational quantum eigensolver and the quantum subspace expansion. As an example, we consider scattering in the deuteron 3S1 partial wave. We calculate scattering phase shifts with a quantum simulator and on real hardware. Here, we also study how noise impacts these calculations and discuss noise mitigation required to extend our work to larger quantum processing units. With current hardware, up to five superconducting qubits can produce acceptable results, and larger calculations will require a significant noise reduction.
73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
Magnetic Dipole Transition in Ca 48
Here, the magnetic dipole transition strength B(M1) of 48 Ca is dominated by a single resonant state at an excitation energy of 10.23 MeV. Experiments disagree about B(M1) and this impacts our understanding of spin flips in nuclei. We performed ab initio computations based on chiral effective field theory and found that B(M1 : 0 + → 1 + ) lies in the range from 7.0 to 10.2 $µ^2_N$. This is consistent with a (γ, n) experiment but larger than results from (e, e') and (p, p') scattering. Two body currents yield no quenching of the B(M1) strength and continuum effects reduce it by about 10%. For a validation of our approach, we computed magnetic moments in 47,49 Ca and performed benchmark calculations in light nuclei.
73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
Entanglement entropy of nuclear systems
We study entanglement entropies between the single-particle states of the hole space and its complement in nuclear systems. Analytical results based on the coupled-cluster method show that entanglement entropies are proportional to the particle number fluctuation and the depletion number of the hole space for sufficiently weak interactions. General arguments also suggest that the entanglement entropy in nuclear systems fulfills a volume instead of an area law. Here, we test and confirm these results by computing entanglement entropies of the pairing model and neutron matter, and the depletion number of finite nuclei.
73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
First observation of 28 O
Subjecting a physical system to extreme conditions is one of the means often used to obtain a better understanding and deeper insight into its organization and structure. In the case of the atomic nucleus, one such approach is to investigate isotopes that have very different neutron-to-proton ($N/Z$) ratios than in stable nuclei. Light, neutron-rich isotopes exhibit the most asymmetric $N/Z$ ratios and those lying beyond the limits of binding, which undergo spontaneous neutron emission and exist only as very short-lived resonances (about 10 -21 s), provide the most stringent tests of modern nuclear-structure theories. Here we report on the first observation of 28 O and 27 O through their decay into 24 O and four and three neutrons, respectively. The 28 O nucleus is of particular interest as, with the $Z$ = 8 and $N$ = 20 magic numbers, it is expected in the standard shell-model picture of nuclear structure to be one of a relatively small number of so-called ‘doubly magic’ nuclei. Furthermore, both 27 O and 28 O were found to exist as narrow, low-lying resonances and their decay energies are compared here to the results of sophisticated theoretical modelling, including a large-scale shell-model calculation and a newly developed statistical approach. In both cases, the underlying nuclear interactions were derived from effective field theories of quantum chromodynamics. Finally, it is shown that the cross-section for the production of 28 O from a 29 F beam is consistent with it not exhibiting a closed $N$ = 20 shell structure.
73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
What is ab initio in nuclear theory?
Ab initio has been used as a label in nuclear theory for over two decades. Its meaning has evolved and broadened over the years. We present our interpretation, briefly review its historical use, and discuss its present-day relation to theoretical uncertainty quantification.
73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
Spectral function for 4 He using the Chebyshev expansion in coupled-cluster theory
Here, we compute spectral function for 4 He by combining coupled-cluster theory with an expansion of integral transforms into Chebyshev polynomials. Our method allows us to estimate the uncertainty of spectral reconstruction. The properties of the Chebyshev polynomials make the procedure numerically stable and considerably lower in memory usage than the typically employed Lanczos algorithm. We benchmark our predictions with other calculations in the literature and with electron-scattering data in the quasi-elastic peak. The spectral function formalism allows one to extend ab initio lepton-nucleus cross sections into the relativistic regime. This makes it a promising tool for modeling this process at higher-energy transfers. The results we present open the door for studies of heavier nuclei, important for the neutrino oscillation programs.
73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
Angular-momentum projection in coupled-cluster theory: Structure of 34 Mg
Single- reference coupled-cluster theory is an accurate and affordable computational method for the nuclear many-body problem. For open-shell nuclei, the reference state typically breaks rotational invariance and angular momentum must be restored as a good quantum number. We perform angular-momentum projection after variation and employ the disentangled coupled-cluster formalism and a Hermitian approach. We compare our results with benchmarks for 8 Be and 20 Ne using a two-nucleon interaction from chiral effective field theory and for pf-shell nuclei within the traditional shell model. We compute the rotational band in the exotic nucleus 34 Mg and find agreement with data.
73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
Nuclear charge radii of Na isotopes: Interplay of atomic and nuclear theory
The accuracy of atomic theory calculations limits the extraction of nuclear charge radii from isotope shift measurements of odd-proton nuclei. For Na isotopes, though precise spectroscopic measurements have existed for more than half a century, calculations by different methods offer a wide range of values. Here, we present accurate atomic calculations to reliably extract the Na charge radii. By combining experimental matter radii with nuclear coupled-cluster calculations based on nucleon-nucleon and three-nucleon forces, we constrain the parameters obtained from the atomic calculations. Furthermore, this study guides atomic theory and highlights the importance of using accurate atomic and nuclear computations in our understanding of the size of light nuclei.
20 ≤ A ≤ 38↗
Coupled-Cluster Calculations of Neutrinoless Double- β Decay in Ca 48
We use coupled-cluster theory and nuclear interactions from chiral effective field theory to compute the nuclear matrix element for the neutrinoless double-$\beta$ decay of $^{48}$Ca. Benchmarks with the no-core shell model in several light nuclei inform us about the accuracy of our approach. For $^{48}$Ca we find a relatively small matrix element. We also compute the nuclear matrix element for the two-neutrino double-$\beta$ decay of $^{48}$Ca with a quenching factor deduced from two-body currents in recent ab initio calculation of the Ikeda sum rule in $^{48}$Ca [Gysbers et al., Nat. Phys. 15, 428 (2019)].
72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
Charge radii of exotic potassium isotopes challenge nuclear theory and the magic character of N = 32
Nuclear charge radii are sensitive probes of different aspects of the nucleon–nucleon interaction and the bulk properties of nuclear matter, providing a stringent test and challenge for nuclear theory. Experimental evidence suggested a new magic neutron number at N = 32 in the calcium region, whereas the unexpectedly large increases in the charge radii open new questions about the evolution of nuclear size in neutron-rich systems. By combining the collinear resonance ionization spectroscopy method with β-decay detection, we were able to extend charge radii measurements of potassium isotopes beyond N = 32. Here we provide a charge radius measurement of 52 K. It does not show a signature of magic behaviour at N = 32 in potassium. The results are interpreted with two state-of-the-art nuclear theories. The coupled cluster theory reproduces the odd–even variations in charge radii but not the notable increase beyond N = 28. This rise is well captured by Fayans nuclear density functional theory, which, however, overestimates the odd–even staggering effect in charge radii. These findings highlight our limited understanding of the nuclear size of neutron-rich systems, and expose problems that are present in some of the best current models of nuclear theory.
73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
Charge radii of exotic neon and magnesium isotopes
We compute the charge radii and ground-state energies of even-mass neon and magnesium isotopes from neutron number N = 8 to the dripline. Our calculations are based on nucleon-nucleon and three-nucleon potentials from chiral effective field theory that include Δ isobars. These potentials yield an accurate saturation point and symmetry energy of nuclear matter. We use the coupled-cluster method and start from an axially symmetric reference state. Binding energies and two-neutron separation energies largely agree with data, and the dripline in neon is accurate. The computed charge radii are accurate for many isotopes where data exist. Finer details, such as isotope shifts, however, are not accurately reproduced. These chiral potentials indicate a subshell closure at N = 14 for the radii (but not for two-neutron separation energies) and a decrease in charge radii at N = 8 (observed in neon and predicted for magnesium). Furthermore, they yield a continued increase of charge radii as neutrons are added beyond N = 14 yet underestimate the large increase at N = 20 in magnesium.
20 ≤ A ≤ 38↗
Two-Neutron Halo is Unveiled in F 29
Here, we report the measurement of reaction cross sections ( σ R ex ) of F 27 , 29 with a carbon target at RIKEN. The unexpectedly large σ R ex and derived matter radius identify F 29 as the heaviest two-neutron Borromean halo to date. The halo is attributed to neutrons occupying the 2 p 3 / 2 orbital, thereby vanishing the shell closure associated with the neutron number N = 20 . The findings are explained by state-of-the-art shell model calculations. Coupled-cluster computations based on effective field theories of the strong nuclear force describe the matter radius of F 27 but are challenged for F 29 .
73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
Pion-less effective field theory for atomic nuclei and lattice nuclei
Here, we compute the medium-mass nuclei 16 O and 40 Ca using pionless effective field theory (EFT) at next-to-leading order (NLO). The low-energy coefficients of the EFT Hamiltonian are adjusted to experimantal data for nuclei with mass numbers A = 2 and 3, or alternatively to results from lattice quantum chromodynamics (QCD) at an unphysical pion mass of 806 MeV. The EFT is implemented through a discrete variable representation in the harmonic oscillator basis. This approach ensures rapid convergence with respect to the size of the model space and facilitates the computation of medium-mass nuclei. At NLO the nuclei 16 O and 40 Ca are bound with respect to decay into alpha particles. Binding energies per nucleon are 9-10 MeV and 30-40 MeV at pion masses of 140 MeV and 806 MeV, respectively.
73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
Large-scale exact diagonalizations reveal low-momentum scales of nuclei
Ab initio methods aim to solve the nuclear many-body problem with controlled approximations. Virtually exact numerical solutions for realistic interactions can only be obtained for certain special cases such as few-nucleon systems. In this paper, we extend the reach of exact diagonalization methods to handle model spaces with dimension exceeding ${10}^{10}$ on a single compute node. This allows us to perform no-core shell model (NCSM) calculations for $^{6}\mathrm{Li}$ in model spaces up to ${N}_{\mathrm{max}}=22$ and to reveal the $^{4}\mathrm{He}$+d halo structure of this nucleus. Still, the use of a finite harmonic-oscillator basis implies truncations in both infrared (IR) and ultraviolet (UV) length scales. These truncations impose finite-size corrections on observables computed in this basis. We perform IR extrapolations of energies and radii computed in the NCSM and with the coupled-cluster method at several fixed UV cutoffs. It is shown that this strategy enables information gain also from data that is not fully UV converged. IR extrapolations improve the accuracy of relevant bound-state observables for a range of UV cutoffs, thus making them profitable tools. We relate the momentum scale that governs the exponential IR convergence to the threshold energy for the first open decay channel. Finally, using large-scale NCSM calculations we numerically verify this small-momentum scale of finite nuclei.
73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
Δ isobars and nuclear saturation
In this paper, we construct a nuclear interaction in chiral effective field theory with explicit inclusion of the $\mathrm{{\Delta}}$-isobar $\mathrm{{\Delta}}(1232)$ degree of freedom at all orders up to next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO). We use pion-nucleon (${\pi}N$) low-energy constants (LECs) from a Roy-Steiner analysis of ${\pi}N$ scattering data, optimize the LECs in the contact potentials up to NNLO to reproduce low-energy nucleon-nucleon scattering phase shifts, and constrain the three-nucleon interaction at NNLO to reproduce the binding energy and point-proton radius of $^{4}\mathrm{He}$. For heavier nuclei we use the coupled-cluster method to compute binding energies, radii, and neutron skins. We find that radii and binding energies are much improved for interactions with explicit inclusion of $\mathrm{{\Delta}}(1232)$, while $\mathrm{{\Delta}}$-less interactions produce nuclei that are not bound with respect to breakup into ${\alpha}$ particles. Finally, the saturation of nuclear matter is significantly improved, and its symmetry energy is consistent with empirical estimates.
73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
Electric Dipole Polarizability of Ca 48 and Implications for the Neutron Skin
The electric dipole strength distribution in 48 Ca between 5 and 25 MeV has been determined at RCNP, Osaka, from proton inelastic scattering experiments at forward angles. Combined with photoabsorption data at higher excitation energy, this enables the rst extraction of the electric dipole polarizability D( 48 Ca) = 2:07(22) fm 3 . Remarkably, the dipole response of 48 Ca is found to be very similar to that of 40 Ca, consistent with a small neutron skin in 48 Ca. The experimental results are in good agreement with ab initio calculations based on chiral e ective eld theory interactions and with state-of-the-art density-functional calculations, implying a neutron skin in 48 Ca of 0:14 - 0:20 fm.
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
Optical potential from first principles
Here, we develop a method to construct a microscopic optical potential from chiral interactions for nucleon-nucleus scattering. The optical potential is constructed by combining the Green’s function approach with the coupled-cluster method. To deal with the poles of the Green’s function along the real energy axis we employ a Berggren basis in the complex energy plane combined with the Lanczos method. Using this approach, we perform a proof-of-principle calculation of the optical potential for the elastic neutron scattering on 16 O. For the computation of the ground-state of 16 O, we use the coupled-cluster method in the singles-and-doubles approximation, while for the A ±1 nuclei we use particle-attached/removed equation-of-motion method truncated at two-particle-one-hole and one-particle-two-hole excitations, respectively. We verify the convergence of the optical potential and scattering phase shifts with respect to the model-space size and the number of discretized complex continuum states. We also investigate the absorptive component of the optical potential (which reflects the opening of inelastic channels) by computing its imaginary volume integral and find an almost negligible absorptive component at low-energies. To shed light on this result, we computed excited states of 16 O using equation-of-motion coupled-cluster method with singles-and- doubles excitations and we found no low-lying excited states below 10 MeV. Furthermore, most excited states have a dominant two-particle-two-hole component, making higher-order particle-hole excitations necessary to achieve a precise description of these core-excited states. We conclude that the reduced absorption at low-energies can be attributed to the lack of correlations coming from the low-order cluster truncation in the employed coupled-cluster method.
73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗