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Nuclear Theory from First Principles

Project description

Investigating interactions between multiple nucleon particles

We might take for granted that particles inside atomic nuclei stick together. However, the interactions between the nuclear constituents are not fully understood. The EU-funded NuclearTheory project plans to use theoretical methods to describe three-particle forces acting between nuclear constituents. Project work will leverage a theoretical method known as effective field theory that is widely used in particle physics. Project members have already used this approach to describe precisely the interactions between two nucleons. Now, they intend to extend the approach to three-particle systems. The project aims to solve the long-standing challenge of accurately modelling nuclear forces determined solely by the chiral symmetry of quantum chromodynamics and few-nucleon data.

Objective

Nuclear physics aims at understanding the emergence and properties of complex structures like atomic nuclei from QCD, the underlying theory of the strong interaction, and addresses some of the Big Science Questions including the origin of the elements, the limits of nuclear stability, searches for physics beyond the Standard Model and physics of neutron stars. Answering these questions requires a reliable theoretical approach to nuclear structure and reactions. Chiral effective field theory (EFT) combined with ab initio many-body methods provides an efficient and well-founded framework, and a major effort is needed to push the precision of nuclear forces and develop an efficient matching with the emerging lattice QCD results.

Recently, the PI and his group made significant breakthroughs in the two-nucleon (2N) sector by developing chiral EFT interactions which are more precise than any other potentials and, for the first time, qualify to be regarded as partial wave analysis (PWA). This shows that chiral EFT can, without any compromises on rigor and consistency, be advanced to a precision tool. While the 2N sector can be considered as solved, three-nucleon (3N) scattering data could so far not be described showing that the simplest nuclear system beyond the 2N one is not understood.

Given this success in the 2N sector, I propose to perform for the first time a PWA of 3N scattering and to determine the Hamiltonian complete up through fifth order. The project aims at solving the long-standing 3N force challenge and development of accurate, state-of-the-art nuclear forces determined solely by the chiral symmetry of QCD and few-nucleon data. The resulting Hamiltonian will be used in large-scale ab initio calculations of nuclear structure and reactions. We will also develop an efficient interface between lattice QCD and chiral EFT. If successful, these studies will establish a rigorous, fully microscopic approach to nuclear physics firmly rooted in QCD.

Keywords

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Programme(s)

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Topic(s)

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Funding Scheme

Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.

ERC-ADG - Advanced Grant

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Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) ERC-2019-ADG

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Host institution

RUHR-UNIVERSITAET BOCHUM
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 2 499 206,00
Address
UNIVERSITAETSSTRASSE 150
44801 Bochum
Germany

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Region
Nordrhein-Westfalen Arnsberg Bochum, Kreisfreie Stadt
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

€ 2 499 206,00

Beneficiaries (1)

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