Applications of Continuum Shell Model

The nuclear many-body problem at the limits of stability is considered in the framework of the Continuum Shell Model that allows a unified description of intrinsic structure and reactions. Technical details behind the method are highlighted and practical applications combining the reaction and structure pictures are presented.Comment: 10 pages, 3 figure

Exploring quantum dynamics in an open many-body system: Transition to superradiance

We study the dynamics of a complex open quantum many-body system. The coupling to external degrees of freedom can be viewed as a coupling to a radiation field, to continuum states or to a measuring apparatus. This perturbation is treated in terms of an effective non-Hermitian Hamiltonian. The influence of such coupling on the properties of the many-body dynamics is discussed, with emphasis on new effects related to dynamical segregation of fast and slow decays and the phase transition to Dicke superradiance. Relations to quantum optics, continuum shell model, theory of measurement, quantum chaos, percolation theory, and to quantum reactions are stressed.Comment: 15 pages, 7 figure

Many-Body Physics on the Border of Nuclear Stability

A brief overview is given of the Continuum Shell Model, a novel approach that extends the traditional nuclear shell model into the domain of unstable nuclei and nuclear reactions. While some of the theoretical aspects, such as role and treatment of one- and two-nucleon continuum states, are discussed more in detail, a special emphasis is made on relation to observed nuclear properties, including definitions of the decay widths and their relation to the cross sections, especially in the cases of non-exponential decay. For the chain of He isotopes we demonstrate the agreement of theoretical results with recent experimental data. We show how the interplay of internal collectivity and coherent coupling to continuum gives rise to the universal mechanism of creating pigmy giant resonances.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figure