A quantitative and predictive microscopic theoretical framework that can describe reactions induced by α particles (4He nuclei) and heavier projectiles is currently lacking. Such a framework would contribute to reducing uncertainty in the modeling of stellar evolution and nucleosynthesis and provide the basis for achieving a comprehensive understanding of the phenomenon of nuclear clustering (the organization of protons and neutrons into distinct substructures within a nucleus). We have developed an efficient and general configuration-interaction framework for the description of low-energy reactions and clustering in light nuclei. The new formalism takes full advantage of powerful second-quantization techniques, enabling the description of α-α scattering and an exploration of clustering in the exotic 12Be nucleus. We find that the 4He(α,α)4He differential cross section computed with non-locally regulated chiral interactions is in good agreement with experimental data. Our results for 12Be indicate the presence of strongly mixed helium-cluster states consistent with a molecular-like picture surviving far above the 6He+6He threshold, and reveal the strong influence of neutron decay in both the 12Be spectrum and in the 6He(6He,α)8He cross section. We expect that this approach will enable the description of helium burning cross sections and provide insight on how three-nucleon forces influence the emergence of clustering in nuclei.

中文翻译：

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核散射和光射弹引起的反应的从头算框架


目前缺乏能够描述 α 粒子（4He 核）和较重弹丸引起的反应的定量和预测性微观理论框架。这样的框架将有助于减少恒星演化和核合成建模中的不确定性，并为全面理解核团聚现象（将质子和中子组织成核内不同的子结构）提供基础。我们开发了一个有效且通用的构型相互作用框架，用于描述轻核中的低能反应和聚集。新的形式充分利用强大的第二量子化技术，能够描述 α-α 散射并探索奇异的 12Be 核中的聚类。我们发现用非局部调节的手性相互作用计算的 4He(α,α)4He 微分截面与实验数据非常吻合。我们对 12Be 的结果表明存在强烈混合的氦团簇态，与远高于 6He+6He 阈值的分子图像相一致，并揭示了中子衰变对 12Be 谱和 6He(6He, α)8He截面。我们预计这种方法将能够描述氦燃烧横截面，并提供有关三核子力如何影响原子核中团簇出现的见解。