arXiv subjects

J. Carlson

Publications and source records attributed to J. Carlson.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

arXiv2007

Analysis of Collective Neutrino Flavor Transformation in Supernovae

We study the flavor evolution of a dense gas initially consisting of pure mono-energetic $ν_e$ and $\barν_e$. Using adiabatic invariants and the special symmetry in such a system we are able to calculate the flavor evolution of the neutrino gas for the cases with slowly decreasing neutrino number densities. These calculations give new insights into the results of recent large-scale numerical simulations of neutrino flavor transformation in supernovae. For example, our calculations reveal the existence of what we term the ``collective precession mode''. Our analyses suggest that neutrinos which travel on intersecting trajectories subject to destructive quantum interference nevertheless can be in this mode. This mode can result in sharp transitions in the final energy-dependent neutrino survival probabilities across all trajectories, a feature seen in the numerical simulations. Moreover, this transition is qualitatively different for the normal and inverted neutrino mass hierarchies. Exploiting this difference, the neutrino signals from a future galactic supernova can potentially be used to determine the actual neutrino mass hierarchy.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2006

Coherent Development of Neutrino Flavor in the Supernova Environment

We calculate coherent neutrino and antineutrino flavor transformation in the supernova environment, for the first time including a self-consistent treatment of forward scattering-induced coupling and entanglement of intersecting neutrino/antineutrino trajectories. For the atmospheric neutrino mass-squared difference we find that in the normal (inverted) mass hierarchy the more tangentially-propagating (radially-propagating) neutrinos and antineutrinos can initiate collective, simultaneous medium-enhanced flavor conversion of these particles across broad ranges of energy and propagation direction. Accompanying alterations in neutrino/antineutrino energy spectra and/or fluxes could affect supernova nucleosynthesis and the expected neutrino signal.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2006

Quantum Monte Carlo calculations of neutron-alpha scattering

We describe a new method to treat low-energy scattering problems in few-nucleon systems, and we apply it to the five-body case of neutron-alpha scattering. The method allows precise calculations of low-lying resonances and their widths. We find that a good three-nucleon interaction is crucial to obtain an accurate description of neutron-alpha scattering.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2006

Tensor Forces and the Ground-State Structure of Nuclei

Two-nucleon momentum distributions are calculated for the ground states of nuclei with mass number $A\leq 8$, using variational Monte Carlo wave functions derived from a realistic Hamiltonian with two- and three-nucleon potentials. The momentum distribution of $np$ pairs is found to be much larger than that of $pp$ pairs for values of the relative momentum in the range (300--600) MeV/c and vanishing total momentum. This order of magnitude difference is seen in all nuclei considered and has a universal character originating from the tensor components present in any realistic nucleon-nucleon potential. The correlations induced by the tensor force strongly influence the structure of $np$ pairs, which are predominantly in deuteron-like states, while they are ineffective for $pp$ pairs, which are mostly in $^1$S$_0$ states. These features should be easily observable in two-nucleon knock-out processes, such as $A(e,e^\prime np)$ and $A(e,e^\prime pp)$.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2005

Asymmetric Two-component Fermion Systems in Strong Coupling

We study the phase structure of a dilute two-component Fermi system with attractive interactions as a function of the coupling and the polarization or number difference between the two components. In weak coupling, a finite number asymmetry results in phase separation. A mixed phase containing symmetric superfluid matter and an asymmetric normal phase is favored. With increasing coupling strength, we show that the stress on the superfluid phase to accommodate a number asymmetry increases. Near the infinite-scattering length limit, we calculate the single-particle excitation spectrum and the ground-state energy at various polarizations. A picture of weakly-interacting quasi-particles emerges for modest polarizations. In this regime near infinite scattering length, and for modest polarizations, a homogeneous phase with a finite population of excited quasi-particle states characterized by a gapless spectrum should be favored over the phase separated state. These states may be realized in cold atom experiments.

cond-mat.other↗

arXiv2004

Quantum Monte Carlo calculations of excited states in A = 6--8 nuclei

A variational Monte Carlo method is used to generate sets of orthogonal trial functions, Psi_T(J^pi,T), for given quantum numbers in various light p-shell nuclei. These Psi_T are then used as input to Green's function Monte Carlo calculations of first, second, and higher excited (J^pi,T) states. Realistic two- and three-nucleon interactions are used. We find that if the physical excited state is reasonably narrow, the GFMC energy converges to a stable result. With the combined Argonne v_18 two-nucleon and Illinois-2 three-nucleon interactions, the results for many second and higher states in A = 6--8 nuclei are close to the experimental values.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2004

Quantum Monte Carlo Studies of Superfluid Fermi Gases

We report results of quantum Monte Carlo calculations of the ground state of dilute Fermi gases with attractive short range two-body interactions. The strength of the interaction is varied to study different pairing regimes which are characterized by the product of the s-wave scattering length and the Fermi wave vector, $ak_F$. We report results for the ground state energy, the pairing gap $Δ$ and the quasiparticle spectrum. In the weak coupling regime, $1/ak_F < -1$, we obtain BCS superfluid and the energy gap $Δ$ is much smaller than the Fermi gas energy $E_{FG}$. When $ a > 0$, the interaction is strong enough to form bound molecules with energy $E_{mol}$. For $1/ak_F \gtrsim 0.5$ we find that weakly interacting composite bosons are formed in the superfluid gas with $Δ$ and gas energy per particle approaching $|E_{mol}|/2$. In this region we seem to have Bose-Einstein condensation (BEC) of molecules. The behavior of the energy and the gap in the BCS to BEC transition region, $-0.5 < 1/ak_F < 0.5$ is discussed.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2004

Parity-Violating Interaction Effects in the np System

We investigate parity-violating observables in the np system, including the longitudinal asymmetry and neutron-spin rotation in np elastic scattering, the photon asymmetry in np radiative capture, and the asymmetries in deuteron photo-disintegration d(gamma,n)p in the threshold region and electro-disintegration d(e,e`)np in quasi-elastic kinematics. To have an estimate of the model dependence for the various predictions, a number of different, latest-generation strong-interaction potentials--Argonne v18, Bonn 2000, and Nijmegen I--are used in combination with a weak-interaction potential consisting of pi-, rho-, and omega-meson exchanges--the model known as DDH. The complete bound and scattering problems in the presence of parity-conserving, including electromagnetic, and parity-violating potentials is solved in both configuration and momentum space. The issue of electromagnetic current conservation is examined carefully. We find large cancellations between the asymmetries induced by the parity-violating interactions and those arising from the associated pion-exchange currents. In the np capture, the model dependence is nevertheless quite small, because of constraints arising through the Siegert evaluation of the relevant E1 matrix elements. In quasi-elastic electron scattering these processes are found to be insignificant compared to the asymmetry produced by gamma-Z interference on individual nucleons.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2004

Neutron Matter: A Superfluid Gas

We review recent progress in the theory of neutron matter with particular emphasis on its superfluid properties. Results of quantum Monte Carlo calculations of simple and realistic models of uniform superfluid neutron gas are discussed along with those of neutrons interacting in a potential well chosen to approximate neutron-rich oxygen isotopes. The properties of dilute superfluid Fermi gases that may be produced in atom traps, and their relations with neutron matter, are illustrated. The density dependence of the effective interaction between neutrons, used to describe neutron-rich systems with the mean field approximations, is also discussed.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2003

A Vision for Nuclear Theory: Report to NSAC

This is the report of the NSAC Subcommittee on Nuclear Theory in response to a charge by the funding agencies to review and evaluate current NSF and DOE supported efforts in nuclear theory and identify strategic plans to ensure a strong U.S. nuclear theory program under various funding scenarios.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2003

Superfluid Fermi Gases with Large Scattering Length

We report quantum Monte Carlo calculations of superfluid Fermi gases with short-range two-body attractive interactions with infinite scattering length. The energy of such gases is estimated to be $(0.44 \pm 0.01)$ times that of the noninteracting gas, and their pairing gap is approximately twice the energy per particle.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2003

Quantum Monte Carlo Calculations of Neutron Matter

Uniform neutron matter is approximated by a cubic box containing a finite number of neutrons, with periodic boundary conditions. We report variational and Green's function Monte Carlo calculations of the ground state of fourteen neutrons in a periodic box using the Argonne $\vep $ two-nucleon interaction at densities up to one and half times the nuclear matter density. The effects of the finite box size are estimated using variational wave functions together with cluster expansion and chain summation techniques. They are small at subnuclear densities. We discuss the expansion of the energy of low-density neutron gas in powers of its Fermi momentum. This expansion is strongly modified by the large nn scattering length, and does not begin with the Fermi-gas kinetic energy as assumed in both Skyrme and relativistic mean field theories. The leading term of neutron gas energy is ~ half the Fermi-gas kinetic energy. The quantum Monte Carlo results are also used to calibrate the accuracy of variational calculations employing Fermi hypernetted and single operator chain summation methods to study nucleon matter over a larger density range, with more realistic Hamiltonians including three-nucleon interactions.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2002

Parity Violating Interactions and Currents in the Deuteron

We investigate parity-violating asymmetries in polarized n p radiative capture, and deuteron electro-disintegration in quasi-elastic kinematics, using the DDH model for the parity-violating nucleon-nucleon interaction. We find dramatic cancellations between the asymmetries induced by the parity-violating interaction and those arising from the associated parity-violating pion-exchange currents. In np capture, the model-dependence of the result is nevertheless quite small because of constraints arising through the Siegert evaluation of the relevant E1 matrix element. In quasi-elastic electron scattering these processes are found to be insignificant comared to the asymmetry produced by the gamma-Z interference on individual nucleons. These two experiments, then, provide clean probes of different aspects of weak-interaction physics associated with parity violation in the np system.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2001

Parity-Violating Interaction Effects I: the Longitudinal Asymmetry in pp Elastic Scattering

The proton-proton parity-violating longitudinal asymmetry is calculated in the lab-energy range 0--350 MeV, using a number of different, latest-generation strong-interaction potentials--Argonne V18, Bonn-2000, and Nijmegen-I--in combination with a weak-interaction potential consisting of rho- and omega-meson exchanges--the model known as DDH. The complete scattering problem in the presence of parity-conserving, including Coulomb, and parity-violating potentials is solved in both configuration- and momentum-space. The predicted parity-violating asymmetries are found to be only weakly dependent upon the input strong-interaction potential adopted in the calculation. Values for the rho- and omega-meson weak coupling constants $h^{pp}_ρ$ and $h^{pp}_ω$ are determined by reproducing the measured asymmetries at 13.6 MeV, 45 MeV, and 221 MeV.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2001

Benchmark Test Calculation of a Four-Nucleon Bound State

In the past, several efficient methods have been developed to solve the Schroedinger equation for four-nucleon bound states accurately. These are the Faddeev-Yakubovsky, the coupled-rearrangement-channel Gaussian-basis variational, the stochastic variational, the hyperspherical variational, the Green's function Monte Carlo, the no-core shell model and the effective interaction hyperspherical harmonic methods. In this article we compare the energy eigenvalue results and some wave function properties using the realistic AV8' NN interaction. The results of all schemes agree very well showing the high accuracy of our present ability to calculate the four-nucleon bound state.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2001

Longitudinal and Transverse Quasi-Elastic Response Functions of Light Nuclei

The $^3$He and $^4$He longitudinal and transverse response functions are determined from an analysis of the world data on quasi-elastic inclusive electron scattering. The corresponding Euclidean response functions are derived and compared to those calculated with Green's function Monte Carlo methods, using realistic interactions and currents. Large contributions associated with two-body currents are found, particularly in the $^4$He transverse response, in agreement with data. The contributions of two-body charge and current operators in the $^3$He, $^4$He, and $^6$Li response functions are also studied via sum-rule techniques. A semi-quantitative explanation for the observed systematics in the excess of transverse quasi-elastic strength, as function of mass number and momentum transfer, is provided. Finally, a number of model studies with simplified interactions, currents, and wave functions is carried out to elucidate the role played, in the full calculation, by tensor interactions and correlations.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2001

Realistic models of pion-exchange three-nucleon interactions

We present realistic models of pion-exchange three-nucleon interactions obtained by fitting the energies of all the 17 bound or narrow states of 3 <= A <= 8 nucleons, calculated with less than 2% error using the Green's function Monte Carlo method. The models contain two-pion-exchange terms due to pi-N scattering in S- and P-waves, three-pion-exchange terms due to ring diagrams with one Delta in the intermediate states, and a phenomenological repulsive term. The models have five parameters: the four strengths and the short-range cutoff. The 17 fitted energies are insufficient to determine all of them uniquely. We consider five models; they reproduce the observed energies with an rms error < 1% when used together with the Argonne v18 two-nucleon interaction. In one of the models the pi-N S-wave scattering interaction is set to zero; in all others it has the strength suggested by chiral effective field theory. One model also assumes that the pi-N P-wave scattering interaction has the strength suggested by effective field theories, and the cutoff is adjusted to fit the data. In all other models the cutoff is taken to be the same as in the AV18 interaction. The effect of relativistic boost correction is estimated. Results obtained with only Argonne v8' and v18 interactions are also reported. In addition, we present results for 7- and 8-body neutron drops in external potential wells.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2000

Quantum Monte Carlo calculations of A=8 nuclei

We report quantum Monte Carlo calculations of ground and low-lying excited states for A=8 nuclei using a realistic Hamiltonian containing the Argonne v18 two-nucleon and Urbana IX three-nucleon potentials. The calculations begin with correlated eight-body wave functions that have a filled alpha-like core and four p-shell nucleons LS-coupled to the appropriate (J+/-;T) quantum numbers for the state of interest. After optimization, these variational wave functions are used as input to a Green's function Monte Carlo calculation made with a new constrained path algorithm. We find that the Hamiltonian produces an 8Be ground state that is within 2 MeV of the experimental resonance, but the other eight-body energies are progressively worse as the neutron-proton asymmetry increases. The 8Li ground state is stable against breakup into subclusters, but the 8He ground state is not. The excited state spectra are in fair agreement with experiment, with both the single-particle behavior of 8He and 8Li and the collective rotational behavior of 8Be being reproduced. We also examine energy differences in the T=1 and 2 isomultiplets and isospin-mixing matrix elements in the excited states of 8Be. Finally, we present densities, momentum distributions, and studies of the intrinsic shapes of these nuclei, with 8Be exhibiting a definite 2-alpha cluster structure.

nucl-th↗