Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

Journal of Physics G Nuclear and Particle Physics

Theoretical approaches to many-body perturbation theory and the challenges

BRUCE R. BARRETT

Published Jul 12, 2005• 1 citation
Publisher

Abstract

A brief review of the history of many-body perturbation theory (MBPT) and its applications in nuclear physics is given. Problems regarding its application to nuclear-structure calculations are discussed and analysed. It is concluded that the usefulness of nuclear MBPT in terms of an expansion in the nuclear reaction matrix G for the calculation of effective interactions in shell-model investigations is severely challenged and restricted by the problems and uncertainties connected with this approach. New methods based on unitary transformation approaches have proven to be more accurate and reliable, particularly for light nuclei.

DOI
10.1088/0954-3899/31/8/013

Related papers

Many-Body Perturbation Theory for Ab Initio Nuclear Structure

A. Tichai

The solution of the quantum many-body problem for medium-mass nuclei using realistic nuclear interactions poses a superbe challenge for nuclear structure research. Because an exact solution can only be provided for the lightest nuclei, one has to rely on approximate solutions when proceeding to heavier systems. Over the past years, tremendous progress has been made in the development and application of systematically improvable expansion methods and an accurate description of nuclear observables has become viable up to mass number $A \approx 100$. While closed-shell systems are consistently described via a plethora of different many-body methods, the extension to genuine open-shell systems still remains a major challenge and up to now there is no \textit{ab initio} many-body method which applies equally well to systems with even and odd mass numbers. The goal of this thesis is the development and implementation of innovative perturbative approaches with genuine open-shell capabilities. This requires the extension of well-known single-reference approaches to more general vacua. In this work we choose two complementary routes for the usage of generalized reference states. First, we derive a new \emph{ab initio} approach based on multi-configurational reference states that are conveniently derived from a prior no-core shell model calculation. Perturbative corrections are derived via second-order many-body perturbation theory, thus, merging configuration interaction and many-body perturbation theory. The generality of this ansatz enables for a treatment of medium-mass systems with arbitrary mass number, as well as the extension to low-lying excited states such that ground and excited states are treated on an equal footing. In a complementary approach, we use reference states that break a symmetry of the underlying Hamiltonian. In the simplest case this corresponds to the expansion around a particle-number-broken Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov vacuum which is obtained from a mean-field calculation. Pairing correlations are already absorbed in the reference state. The mild scaling allows for investigations up to tin isotopic chains. All benchmarks were performed using state-of-the-art chiral two- plus three-nucleon interactions thus allowing for a universal description of nuclear observables in the medium-mass regime.

•Jan 1, 2017•1 citation

Bogoliubov many-body perturbation theory for open-shell nuclei

A. Tichai, P. Arthuis, T. Duguet +3 more

A Rayleigh–Schrödinger many-body perturbation theory (MBPT) approach is introduced by making use of a particle-number-breaking Bogoliubov reference state to tackle (near-)degenerate open-shell fermionic systems. By choosing a reference state that solves the Hartree–Fock–Bogoliubov variational problem, the approach reduces to the well-tested Møller–Plesset, i.e., Hartree–Fock based, MBPT when applied to closed-shell systems. Due to its algorithmic simplicity, the newly developed framework provides a computationally simple yet accurate alternative to state-of-the-art non-perturbative many-body approaches. At the price of working in the quasi-particle basis associated with a single-particle basis of sufficient size, the computational scaling of the method is independent of the particle number. This paper presents the first realistic applications of the method ranging from the oxygen to the nickel isotopic chains on the basis of a modern nuclear Hamiltonian derived from chiral effective field theory.

arXiv:1806.10931•Physics Letters B•Sep 25, 2018•96 citations

Bogoliubov Many-Body Perturbation Theory for Nuclei : Systematic Generation and Evaluation of Diagrams and First ab initio Calculations

P. Arthuis

The last few decades in nuclear structure theory have seen a rapid expansion of ab initio theories, aiming at describing the properties of nuclei starting from the inter-nucleonic interaction. Such an expansion relied both on the tremendous growth of computing power and novel formal developments. This work focuses on the development of the recently proposed Bogoliubov Many-Body Perturbation Theory that relies on a particle-number-breaking reference state to tackle singly open-shell nuclei. The formalism is first described in details, and diagrammatic and algebraic contributions are derived up to second order. Its link to standard Many-Body Perturbation Theory is made explicit, as well as its connexion to Bogoliubov Coupled-Cluster theory. An automated extension to higher orders based on graph theory methods is then detailed, and the ADG numerical program generating and evaluating BMBPT diagrams at arbitrary order is introduced. Such a formal development carries implications that are not restricted to the present work, as the developed methods can be applied to other many-body methods. Finally, first numerical results obtained for oxygen, calcium and nickel isotopes are presented. They establish BMBPT as a method of interest for large-scale computations of isotopic or isotonic chains in the mid-mass sector of the nuclear chart.

•Sep 27, 2018•0 citations

Projected Bogoliubov Many-Body Perturbation Theory : Overcoming formal and technical challenges

Julien Ripoche

Given elementary inter-nucleon interactions,the resolution of the A-body Schrödinger equation gives access to the properties of the nuclear eigenstates. Many-body perturbation theory (MBPT) based on a Hartree-Fock mean field allows one to treat the dynamical correlations at play in doubly-closed-shell nuclei. Beyond shell closures,breaking U(1) symmetry associated with the conservation of neutron and proton numbers further permits to capture static correlations at the meanfield level and to formulate the well-behaved Bogoliubov many-body perturbation theory (BMBPT).Nevertheless, BMBPT results show contaminations associated with the broken symmetry that is only emergent on finite quantum system such as theatomic nucleus. Thus, the restoration of U(1) symmetry beyond the mean field is necessary for acorrect description and gives rise to the projected BMBPT method (PBMBPT). The goal is to implement PBMBPT in order to perform ab initio calculations of singly-open-shell mid-mass nuclei.The present work provides systematic solutions to the formal and technical problems arising during the implementation of PBMBPT: an automatic and safe method to generate PBMBPT diagrams and associated expressions, a framework to calculate other observables than the energy, an extension of the normal ordering approximation to symmetry breaking methods as well as an automatic and safe tool for spherical reduction of tensor networks.

•Sep 24, 2019•2 citations

Nuclear Structure in the Framework of the Unitary Correlation Operator Method

Robert Roth, Thomas Neffb, Hans Feldmeier

Correlations play a crucial role in the nuclear many-body problem. We give an overview of recent developments in nuclear structure theory aiming at the description of these interaction-induced correlations by unitary transformations. We focus on the Unitary Correlation Operator Method (UCOM), which offers a very intuitive, universal and robust approach for the treatment of short-range correlations. We discuss the UCOM formalism in detail and highlight the connections to other methods for the description of short-range correlations and the construction of effective interactions. In particular, we juxtapose UCOM with the Similarity Renormalization Group (SRG) approach, which implements the unitary transformation of the Hamiltonian through a very flexi-ble flow-equation formulation. The UCOM- and SRG-transformed interactions are compared on the level of matrix elements and in many-body calculations within the no-core shell model and with Hartree-Fock plus perturbation theory for a variety of nuclei and observables. These calcu-lations provide a detailed picture of the similarities and differences as well as the advantages and limitations of unitary transformation methods.

•Jan 1, 2010•73 citations

Many-body theory

Ingvar Lindgren

In these lectures I shall give a review of the non‐relativistic many‐body perturbation theory (MBPT). In the first section a brief summary will be given of the Rayleigh‐Schrödinger perturbation theory for non‐degenerate and degenerate systems, and in the second section the second quantization and the graphical representation and introduced. In the third section the diagrammatic expansions are developed for closed‐ and open‐shell systems, and in the fourth section, finally, the procedure is generalized to the all‐order and coupled‐cluster approaches.

AIP conference proceedings•Jan 1, 1989•3 citations
A brief review of the history of many-body perturbation theory (MBPT) and its applications in nuclear physics is given. Problems regarding its application to nuclear-structure calculations are discussed and analysed. It is concluded that the usefulness of nuclear MBPT in terms of an expansion in the nuclear reaction matrix G for the calculation of effective interactions in shell-model investigations is severely challenged and restricted by the problems and uncertainties connected with this approach. New methods based on unitary transformation approaches have proven to be more accurate and reliable, particularly for light nuclei.
The solution of the quantum many-body problem for medium-mass nuclei using realistic nuclear interactions poses a superbe challenge for nuclear structure research. Because an exact solution can only be provided for the lightest nuclei, one has to rely on approximate solutions when proceeding to heavier systems. Over the past years, tremendous progress has been made in the development and application of systematically improvable expansion methods and an accurate description of nuclear observables has become viable up to mass number A≈100A \approx 100A≈100. While closed-shell systems are consistently described via a plethora of different many-body methods, the extension to genuine open-shell systems still remains a major challenge and up to now there is no \textit{ab initio} many-body method which applies equally well to systems with even and odd mass numbers. The goal of this thesis is the development and implementation of innovative perturbative approaches with genuine open-shell capabilities. This requires the extension of well-known single-reference approaches to more general vacua. In this work we choose two complementary routes for the usage of generalized reference states. First, we derive a new \emph{ab initio} approach based on multi-configurational reference states that are conveniently derived from a prior no-core shell model calculation. Perturbative corrections are derived via second-order many-body perturbation theory, thus, merging configuration interaction and many-body perturbation theory. The generality of this ansatz enables for a treatment of medium-mass systems with arbitrary mass number, as well as the extension to low-lying excited states such that ground and excited states are treated on an equal footing. In a complementary approach, we use reference states that break a symmetry of the underlying Hamiltonian. In the simplest case this corresponds to the expansion around a particle-number-broken Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov vacuum which is obtained from a mean-field calculation. Pairing correlations are already absorbed in the reference state. The mild scaling allows for investigations up to tin isotopic chains. All benchmarks were performed using state-of-the-art chiral two- plus three-nucleon interactions thus allowing for a universal description of nuclear observables in the medium-mass regime.
A Rayleigh–Schrödinger many-body perturbation theory (MBPT) approach is introduced by making use of a particle-number-breaking Bogoliubov reference state to tackle (near-)degenerate open-shell fermionic systems. By choosing a reference state that solves the Hartree–Fock–Bogoliubov variational problem, the approach reduces to the well-tested Møller–Plesset, i.e., Hartree–Fock based, MBPT when applied to closed-shell systems. Due to its algorithmic simplicity, the newly developed framework provides a computationally simple yet accurate alternative to state-of-the-art non-perturbative many-body approaches. At the price of working in the quasi-particle basis associated with a single-particle basis of sufficient size, the computational scaling of the method is independent of the particle number. This paper presents the first realistic applications of the method ranging from the oxygen to the nickel isotopic chains on the basis of a modern nuclear Hamiltonian derived from chiral effective field theory.
The last few decades in nuclear structure theory have seen a rapid expansion of ab initio theories, aiming at describing the properties of nuclei starting from the inter-nucleonic interaction. Such an expansion relied both on the tremendous growth of computing power and novel formal developments. This work focuses on the development of the recently proposed Bogoliubov Many-Body Perturbation Theory that relies on a particle-number-breaking reference state to tackle singly open-shell nuclei. The formalism is first described in details, and diagrammatic and algebraic contributions are derived up to second order. Its link to standard Many-Body Perturbation Theory is made explicit, as well as its connexion to Bogoliubov Coupled-Cluster theory. An automated extension to higher orders based on graph theory methods is then detailed, and the ADG numerical program generating and evaluating BMBPT diagrams at arbitrary order is introduced. Such a formal development carries implications that are not restricted to the present work, as the developed methods can be applied to other many-body methods. Finally, first numerical results obtained for oxygen, calcium and nickel isotopes are presented. They establish BMBPT as a method of interest for large-scale computations of isotopic or isotonic chains in the mid-mass sector of the nuclear chart.
Given elementary inter-nucleon interactions,the resolution of the A-body Schrödinger equation gives access to the properties of the nuclear eigenstates. Many-body perturbation theory (MBPT) based on a Hartree-Fock mean field allows one to treat the dynamical correlations at play in doubly-closed-shell nuclei. Beyond shell closures,breaking U(1) symmetry associated with the conservation of neutron and proton numbers further permits to capture static correlations at the meanfield level and to formulate the well-behaved Bogoliubov many-body perturbation theory (BMBPT).Nevertheless, BMBPT results show contaminations associated with the broken symmetry that is only emergent on finite quantum system such as theatomic nucleus. Thus, the restoration of U(1) symmetry beyond the mean field is necessary for acorrect description and gives rise to the projected BMBPT method (PBMBPT). The goal is to implement PBMBPT in order to perform ab initio calculations of singly-open-shell mid-mass nuclei.The present work provides systematic solutions to the formal and technical problems arising during the implementation of PBMBPT: an automatic and safe method to generate PBMBPT diagrams and associated expressions, a framework to calculate other observables than the energy, an extension of the normal ordering approximation to symmetry breaking methods as well as an automatic and safe tool for spherical reduction of tensor networks.
Correlations play a crucial role in the nuclear many-body problem. We give an overview of recent developments in nuclear structure theory aiming at the description of these interaction-induced correlations by unitary transformations. We focus on the Unitary Correlation Operator Method (UCOM), which offers a very intuitive, universal and robust approach for the treatment of short-range correlations. We discuss the UCOM formalism in detail and highlight the connections to other methods for the description of short-range correlations and the construction of effective interactions. In particular, we juxtapose UCOM with the Similarity Renormalization Group (SRG) approach, which implements the unitary transformation of the Hamiltonian through a very flexi-ble flow-equation formulation. The UCOM- and SRG-transformed interactions are compared on the level of matrix elements and in many-body calculations within the no-core shell model and with Hartree-Fock plus perturbation theory for a variety of nuclei and observables. These calcu-lations provide a detailed picture of the similarities and differences as well as the advantages and limitations of unitary transformation methods.
In these lectures I shall give a review of the non‐relativistic many‐body perturbation theory (MBPT). In the first section a brief summary will be given of the Rayleigh‐Schrödinger perturbation theory for non‐degenerate and degenerate systems, and in the second section the second quantization and the graphical representation and introduced. In the third section the diagrammatic expansions are developed for closed‐ and open‐shell systems, and in the fourth section, finally, the procedure is generalized to the all‐order and coupled‐cluster approaches.