We present a brief overview of recent developments in ab initio calculations of nuclear scattering and reactions with a focus on applications of the no-core shell model with continuum method.
Coherent elastic neutrino scattering on the 40Ar nucleus is computed with coupled-cluster theory based on nuclear Hamiltonians inspired by effective field theories of quantum chromodynamics. Our approach is validated by calculating the charge form fa
ctor and comparing it to data from electron scattering. We make predictions for the weak form factor, the neutron radius, and the neutron skin, and estimate systematic uncertainties. The neutron-skin thickness of 40Ar40 is consistent with results from density functional theory. Precision measurements from coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering could potentially be used to extract these observables and help to constrain nuclear models.
A quantitative and predictive microscopic theoretical framework that can describe reactions induced by $alpha$ particles ($^4$He nuclei) and heavier projectiles is currently lacking. Such a framework would contribute to reducing uncertainty in the mo
deling of stellar evolution and nucleosynthesis and provide the basis for achieving a comprehensive understanding of the phenomenon of nuclear clustering (the organization of protons and neutrons into distinct substructures within a nucleus). We have developed an efficient and general configuration-interaction framework for the description of low-energy reactions and clustering in light nuclei. The new formalism takes full advantage of powerful second-quantization techniques, enabling the description of $alpha$-$alpha$ scattering and an exploration of clustering in the exotic $^{12}$Be nucleus. We find that the $^4$He($alpha$, $alpha$)$^4$He differential cross section computed with non-locally regulated chiral interactions is in good agreement with experimental data. Our results for $^{12}$Be indicate the presence of strongly mixed helium-cluster states consistent with a molecular-like picture surviving far above the $^6$He+$^6$He threshold, and reveal the strong influence of neutron decay in both the $^{12}$Be spectrum and in the $^6$He($^6$He,$alpha$)$^8$He cross section. We expect that this approach will enable the description of helium burning cross sections and provide insight on how three-nucleon forces influence the emergence of clustering in nuclei.
We discuss the role of clustering on monopole, dipole, and quadrupole excitations in nuclei in the framework of the ab initio symmetry-adapted no-core shell model (SA-NCSM). The SA-NCSM starts from nucleon-nucleon potentials and, by exploring symmetr
ies known to dominate the nuclear dynamics, can reach nuclei up through the calcium region by accommodating ultra-large model spaces critical to descriptions of clustering and collectivity. The results are based on calculations of electromagnetic sum rules and discretized responses using the Lanczos algorithm, that can be used to determine response functions, and for 4He are benchmarked against exact solutions of the hyperspherical harmonics method. In particular, we focus on He, Be, and O isotopes, including giant resonances and monopole sum rules.
The methods used in the evaluation of the neutrino-nucleus cross section are reviewed. Results are shown for a variety of targets of practical importance. Many of the described reactions are accessible in future experiments with neutrino sources from
the pion and muon decays at rest, which might be available at the neutron spallation facilities. Detailed comparison between the experimental and theoretical results would establish benchmarks needed for verification and/or parameter adjustment of the nuclear models. Having a reliable tool for such calculation is of great importance in a variety of applications, e.g. the neutrino oscillation studies, detection of supernova neutrinos, description of the neutrino transport in supernovae, and description of the r-process nucleosynthesis.
The cross sections for neutrino scattering off the 12C and 16O nuclei are calculated within the framework of the continuum Random Phase Approximation. A model to consider also the final state interactions is developed. Total charge-conserving and cha
rge-exchange cross sections for both electron neutrinos and antineutrinos have been calculated up to projectile energies of 100 MeV. The sensitivity of the cross sections to the residual interaction and to the final state interactions is investigated. A direct comparison between neutrino and electron scattering cross sections calculated under the same kinematic conditions is presented. We found remarkable differences between electromagnetic and weak nuclear responses. The model is applied to describe cross sections of neutrinos produced by muon decay at rest and in supernovae explosions.