arXiv subjects

P. Finelli

Publications and source records attributed to P. Finelli.

17 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2022

Microscopic Optical Potentials: recent achievements and future perspectives

Few years ago we started the investigation of microscopic Optical Potentials (OP) in the framework of chiral effective field theories and published our results in a series of manuscripts. Starting from the very first work, where a microscopic OP was introduced following the multiple scattering procedure of Watson, and then followed by more recent works, where the agreement with experimental data and phenomenological approaches was successfully tested, we finally arrived at a description of elastic scattering processes off non-zero spin nuclei. Among our achievements, it is worth mentioning the partial inclusion of three-nucleon forces, and the extension of our OP to antiproton-nucleus elastic scattering. Despite the overall good agreement with empirical data obtained so far, we do believe that several improvements and upgrades of the present approach are still to be achieved. In this short essay we would like to address some of the most relevant achievements and discuss an interesting development that, in our opinion, is needed to further improve microscopic OPs in order to reach in a near future the same level of accuracy of the phenomenological ones.

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arXiv2020

Ab initio computation of charge densities for Sn and Xe isotopes

We present the first ab initio calculations for open-shell nuclei past the tin isotopic line, focusing on Xe isotopes as well as doubly-magic Sn isotopes. We show that, even for moderately hard interactions, it is possible to obtain meaningful predictions and that the NNLOsat chiral interaction predicts radii and charge density distributions close to the experiment. We then make a new prediction for ${}^{100}$Sn. This paves the way for ab initio studies of exotic charge density distributions at the limit of the present ab initio mass domain, where experimental data is becoming available. The present study closes the gap between the largest isotopes reachable by ab initio methods and the smallest exotic nuclei accessible to electron scattering experiments.

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arXiv2019

Microscopic Optical Potential for Elastic Proton-Nucleus Scattering from Chiral Forces

A microscopic optical potential (OP) is derived from NN chiral potentials at the first-order term within the spectator expansion of the multiple scattering theory and adopting the impulse approximation. The performances of our OP are compared with those of a phenomenological OP in the description of elastic proton scattering data on different isotopic chains. An analogous scheme is adopted to construct a microscopic OP for elastic antiproton-nucleus scattering. The results of our OPs are in reasonably good agreement with the experimental data, for both elastic proton and antiproton-nucleus scattering.

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arXiv2017

Optical Potentials Derived from Nucleon-Nucleon Chiral Potentials at N4LO

Background: Elastic scattering is probably the main event in the interactions of nucleons with nuclei. Even if this process has been extensively studied in the last years, a consistent description, i.e., starting from microscopic two- and many-body forces connected by the same symmetries and principles, is still under development. Purpose: In a previous paper we derived a theoretical optical potential from NN chiral potentials at fourth order (N3LO). In the present work we use NN chiral potentials at fifth order (N4LO), with the purpose to check the convergence and to assess the theoretical errors associated with the truncation of the chiral expansion in the construction of an optical potential. Methods: The optical potential is derived as the first-order term within the spectator expansion of the nonrelativistic multiple scattering theory and adopting the impulse approximation and the optimum factorization approximation. Results: The pp and np Wolfenstein amplitudes and the cross section, analyzing power, and spin rotation of elastic proton scattering from 16O, 12C, and 40Ca nuclei are presented at an incident proton energy of 200 MeV. The results obtained with different versions of chiral potentials at N4LO are compared. Conclusions: Our results indicate that convergence has been reached at N4LO. The agreement with the experimental data is comparable with the agreement obtained in our previous work. We confirm that building an optical potential within chiral perturbation theory is a promising approach for describing elastic proton-nucleus scattering.

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arXiv2015

Theoretical Optical Potential Derived From Nucleon-Nucleon Chiral Potentials

Background: Elastic scattering is probably the main event in the interactions of nucleons with nuclei. Even if this process has been extensively studied in the last years, a consistent description, i.e. starting from microscopic two- and many-body forces connected by the same symmetries and principles, is still under development. Purpose: In this work we study the domain of applicability of microscopic two-body chiral potentials in the construction of an optical potential. Methods: We basically follow the KMT approach to build a microscopic complex optical potential and then we perform some test calculations on 16O at different energies. Results: Our conclusion is that a particular set of potentials with a Lippmann-Schwinger cutoff at relatively high energies (above 500 MeV) has the best performances reproducing the scattering observables. Conclusions: Our work shows that building an optical potential within Chiral Perturbation Theory is a promising approach to the description of elastic proton scattering, in particular, in view of the future inclusion of many-body forces that naturally arise in such framework.

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arXiv2014

Nuclear Pairing from Two-body Microscopic Forces: Analysis of the Cooper Pair Wavefunctions

In a recent paper we studied the behavior of the pairing gaps $\Delta_F$ as a function of the Fermi momentum $k_F$ for neutron and nuclear matter in all relevant angular momentum channels where superfluidity is believed to naturally emerge. The calculations employed realistic chiral nucleon-nucleon potentials with the inclusion of three-body forces and self-energy effects. In this contribution, after a detailed description of the numerical method we employed in the solution of the BCS equations, we will show a preliminary analysis of the Cooper pair wavefunctions.

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arXiv2014

Nuclear pairing from microscopic forces: singlet channels and higher-partial waves

Background: An accurate description of nuclear pairing gaps is extremely important for understanding static and dynamic properties of the inner crusts of neutron stars and to explain their cooling process. Purpose: We plan to study the behavior of the pairing gaps $\Delta_F$ as a function of the Fermi momentum $k_F$ for neutron and nuclear matter in all relevant angular momentum channels where superfluidity is believed to naturally emerge. The calculations will employ realistic chiral nucleon-nucleon potentials with the inclusion of three-body forces and self-energy effects. Methods: The superfluid states of neutron and nuclear matter are studied by solving the BCS gap equation for chiral nuclear potentials using the method suggested by Khodel et al., where the original gap equation is replaced by a coupled set of equations for the dimensionless gap function $\chi(p)$ defined by $\Delta(p) = \Delta_F \chi(p)$ and a non-linear algebraic equation for the gap magnitude $\Delta_F = \Delta(p_F)$ at the Fermi surface. This method is numerically stable even for small pairing gaps, such as that encountered in the coupled $^3PF_2$ partial wave. Results: We have successfully applied Khodel's method to singlet ($S$) and coupled channel ($SD$ and $PF$) cases in neutron and nuclear matter. Our calculations agree with other ab-initio approaches, where available, and provide crucial inputs for future applications in superfluid systems.

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arXiv2012

Mean-field calculations of exotic nuclei ground states

We study the predictions of three mean-field theoretical approaches in the description of the ground state properties of some spherical nuclei far from the stability line. We compare binding energies, single particle spectra, density distributions, charge and neutron radii obtained with non-relativistic Hartree-Fock calculations carried out with both zero and finite-range interactions, and with a relativistic Hartree approach which uses a finite-range interaction. The agreement between the results obtained with the three different approaches indicates that these results are more related to the basic hypotheses of the mean-field approach rather than to its implementation in actual calculations.

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arXiv2009

Hypernuclear single particle spectra based on in-medium chiral SU(3) dynamics

A previously derived relativistic energy density functional for nuclei, based on low-energy in-medium chiral dynamics, is generalized to implement constraints from chiral SU(3) effective field theory and applied to $Λ$ hypernuclei. Density-dependent central and spin-orbit mean fields are calculated for a $Λ$ hyperon using the SU(3) extension of in-medium chiral perturbation theory to two-loop order. Long range $ΛN$ interactions arise from kaon-exchange and from two-pion-exchange with a $Σ$ hyperon in the intermediate state. Short-distance dynamics is encoded in contact interactions. They include scalar and vector mean fields reflecting in-medium changes of quark condensates, constrained by QCD sum rules. The $Λ$ single particle orbitals are computed for a series of hypernuclei from $^{13}_Λ$C to $^{208}_Λ$Pb. The role of a surface (derivative) term is studied. Its strength is found to be compatible with a corresponding estimate from in-medium chiral perturbation theory. Very good agreement with hypernuclear spectroscopic data is achieved. The smallness of the $Λ$-nuclear spin-orbit interaction finds a natural explanation in terms of an almost complete cancellation between short-range scalar/vector contributions and longer range terms generated by two-pion exchange.

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arXiv2007

In-medium chiral SU(3) dynamics and hypernuclear structure

A previously introduced relativistic energy density functional, successfully applied to ordinary nuclei, is extended to hypernuclei. The density-dependent mean field and the spin-orbit potential are consistently calculated for a $Λ$ hyperon in the nucleus using the SU(3) extension of in-medium chiral perturbation theory. The leading long range $ΛN$ interaction arises from kaon-exchange and $2π$-exchange with $Σ$ hyperon in the intermediate state. Scalar and vector mean fields reflecting in-medium changes of the quark condensates are constrained by QCD sum rules. The model, applied to oxygen as a test case, describes spectroscopic data in good agreement with experiment. In particular, the smallness of the $Λ$ spin-orbit interaction finds a natural explanation in terms of an almost complete cancellation between scalar-vector background contributions and long-range terms generated by two-pion exchange.

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arXiv2007

Hypernuclei and in-medium chiral dynamics

A recently introduced relativistic nuclear energy density functional, constrained by features of low-energy QCD, is extended to describe the structure of hypernuclei. The density-dependent mean field and the spin-orbit potential of a $Λ$-hyperon in a nucleus, are consistently calculated using the SU(3) extension of in-medium chiral perturbation theory. The leading long-range $ΛN$ interaction arises from kaon-exchange and $2π$-exchange with a $Σ$-hyperon in the intermediate state. Scalar and vector mean fields, originating from in-medium changes of the quark condensates, produce a sizeable {\em short-range} spin-orbit interaction. The model, when applied to oxygen as a test case, provides a natural explanation for the smallness of the effective $Λ$ spin-orbit potential: an almost complete cancellation between the background contributions (scalar and vector) and the long-range terms generated by two-pion exchange.

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arXiv2007

Chiral pion-nucleon dynamics in finite nuclei: spin-isospin excitations

The nuclear density functional framework, based on chiral dynamics and the symmetry breaking pattern of low-energy QCD, is extended to the description of collective nuclear excitations. Starting from the relativistic point-coupling Lagrangian previously introduced [Nucl. Phys. A770 (2006) 1], the proton-neutron (quasiparticle) random phase approximation is formulated and applied to investigate the role of chiral pion-nucleon dynamics in excitation modes involving spin and isospin degrees of freedom, e.g. isobaric analog states and Gamow-Teller resonances.

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arXiv2006

Relativistic nuclear energy density functional constrained by low-energy QCD

A relativistic nuclear energy density functional is developed, guided by two important features that establish connections with chiral dynamics and the symmetry breaking pattern of low-energy QCD: a) strong scalar and vector fields related to in-medium changes of QCD vacuum condensates; b) the long- and intermediate-range interactions generated by one-and two-pion exchange, derived from in-medium chiral perturbation theory, with explicit inclusion of $Δ(1232)$ excitations. Applications are presented for binding energies, radii of proton and neutron distributions and other observables over a wide range of spherical and deformed nuclei from $^{16}O$ to $^{210}Po$. Isotopic chains of $Sn$ and $Pb$ nuclei are studied as test cases for the isospin dependence of the underlying interactions. The results are at the same level of quantitative comparison with data as the best phenomenological relativistic mean-field models.

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arXiv2004

Relativistic nuclear model with point-couplings constrained by QCD and chiral symmetry

We derive a microscopic relativistic point-coupling model of nuclear many-body dynamics constrained by in-medium QCD sum rules and chiral symmetry. The effective Lagrangian is characterized by density dependent coupling strengths, determined by chiral one- and two-pion exchange and by QCD sum rule constraints for the large isoscalar nucleon self-energies that arise through changes of the quark condensate and the quark density at finite baryon density. This approach is tested in the analysis of the equations of state for symmetric and asymmetric nuclear matter, and of bulk and single-nucleon properties of finite nuclei. In comparison with purely phenomenological mean-field approaches, the built-in QCD constraints and the explicit treatment of pion exchange restrict the freedom in adjusting parameters and functional forms of density dependent couplings. It is shown that chiral (two-pion exchange) fluctuations play a prominent role for nuclear binding and saturation, whereas strong scalar and vector fields of about equal magnitude and opposite sign, induced by changes of the QCD vacuum in the presence of baryonic matter, generate the large effective spin-orbit potential in finite nuclei.

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arXiv2003

Nuclear Many-Body Dynamics constrained by QCD and Chiral Symmetry

We present a novel description of nuclear many-body systems, both for nuclear matter and finite nuclei, emphasizing the connection with the condensate structure of the QCD ground state and spontaneous chiral symmetry breaking. Lorentz scalar and vector mean-fields are introduced in accordance with QCD sum rules. Nuclear binding arises from pionic fluctuations, using in-medium chiral perturbation theory up to three-loop order. Ground state properties of $^{16}$O and $^{40}$Ca are calculated. The built-in QCD constraints reduce the number of input parameters significantly in comparison with purely phenomenological relativistic mean-field approaches.

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arXiv2002

Relativistic Hartree-Bogoliubov model with density-dependent meson-nucleon couplings

The relativistic Hartree-Bogoliubov (RHB) model is extended to include density dependent meson-nucleon couplings. The effective Lagrangian is characterized by a phenomenological density dependence for the $σ$, $ω$ and $ρ$ meson-nucleon vertex functions, adjusted to properties of nuclear matter and finite nuclei. Pairing correlations are described by the pairing part of the finite range Gogny interaction. The new density-dependent effective interaction DD-ME1 is tested in the analysis of the equations of state for symmetric and asymmetric nuclear matter, and of ground-state properties of the Sn and Pb isotopic chains. Results of self-consistent RHB calculations are compared with experimental data, and with results previously obtained in the RHB model with non-linear self-interactions, as well as in the density dependent relativistic hadron field (DDRH) model. Parity-violating elastic electron scattering on Pb and Sn nuclei is calculated using a relativistic optical model with inclusion of Coulomb distortion effects, and the resulting asymmetry parameters are related to the neutron ground-state density distributions.

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arXiv1999

Parity violating elastic electron scattering and neutron density distributions in the Relativistic Hartree-Bogoliubov model

Parity violating elastic electron scattering on neutron-rich nuclei is described in the framework of relativistic mean-field theory. Self-consistent ground state density distributions of Ne, Na, Ni and Sn isotopes are calculated with the relativistic Hartree- Bogoliubov model, and the resulting neutron radii are compared with available experimental data. For the elastic scattering of 850 MeV electrons on these nuclei, the parity-violating asymmetry parameters are calculated using a relativistic optical model with inclusion of Coulomb distortion effects. The asymmetry parameters for chains of isotopes are compared, and their relation to the Fourier transforms of neutron densities is studied. It is shown that parity-violating asymmetries are sensitive not only to the formation of the neutron skin, but also to the shell effects of the neutron density distribution.

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