Coupled-Channels Density-Matrix Approach to Low-Energy Nuclear Reaction Dynamics
A. Díaz-Torres, Paraskevi Demetriou, Rauno Julin +1 more
Atomic nuclei are complex, quantum many‐body systems whose structure manifests itself through intrinsic quantum states associated with different excitation modes or degrees of freedom. Collective modes (vibration and/or rotation) dominate at low energy (near the ground‐state). The associated states are usually employed, within a truncated model space, as a basis in (coherent) coupled channels approaches to low‐energy reaction dynamics. However, excluded states can be essential, and their effects on the open (nuclear) system dynamics are usually treated through complex potentials. Is this a complete description of open system dynamics? Does it include effects of quantum decoherence? Can decoherence be manifested in reaction observables? In this contribution, I discuss these issues and the main ideas of a coupled‐channels density‐matrix approach that makes it possible to quantify the role and importance of quantum decoherence in low‐energy nuclear reaction dynamics. Topical applications, which refer to understanding the astrophysically important collision 12C+12C and achieving a unified quantum dynamical description of relevant reaction processes of weakly‐bound nuclei, are highlighted.
arXiv:1009.0520•AIP conference proceedings•Jan 1, 2011•0 citations