Effective theories and emergent properties in the ab initio description of nuclei

Patrick Fasano
Graduate Student
University of Notre Dame

Nuclei are complex, strongly-correlated systems of many interacting fermions. In general, it is difficult to predict the properties of such systems ab initio; however, it is well-known that simple patterns arise in the properties of nuclei, from shell structure to collective rotation and vibration. We can understand how these simple patterns arise by investigating the exact and approximate symmetries which govern the dynamics of nuclei. I will discuss several ways in which we use symmetries to calculate the properties of atomic nuclei: (1) how chiral symmetry allows us to constrain the internucleon interaction, and (2) how many-body symmetries allow us to see the emergence of collective rotation and vibration.

Hosted by Prof. Caprio

Presented both in person and via zoom. Email nsladmin@nd.edu for zoom link.