The R-matrix theory

The different facets of the $R$-matrix method are presented pedagogically in a general framework. Two variants have been developed over the years: $(i)$ The "calculable" $R$-matrix method is a calculational tool to derive scattering properties from the Schr\"odinger equation in a large variety of physical problems. It was developed rather independently in atomic and nuclear physics with too little mutual influence. $(ii)$ The "phenomenological" $R$-matrix method is a technique to parametrize various types of cross sections. It was mainly (or uniquely) used in nuclear physics. Both directions are explained by starting from the simple problem of scattering by a potential. They are illustrated by simple examples in nuclear and atomic physics. In addition to elastic scattering, the $R$-matrix formalism is applied to transfer and radiative-capture reactions. We also present more recent and more ambitious applications of the theory in nuclear physics.Comment: 93 pages, 26 figures. Rep. Prog. Phys., in pres

Equivalence of the Siegert-pseudostate and Lagrange-mesh R-matrix methods

Siegert pseudostates are purely outgoing states at some fixed point expanded over a finite basis. With discretized variables, they provide an accurate description of scattering in the s wave for short-range potentials with few basis states. The R-matrix method combined with a Lagrange basis, i.e. functions which vanish at all points of a mesh but one, leads to simple mesh-like equations which also allow an accurate description of scattering. These methods are shown to be exactly equivalent for any basis size, with or without discretization. The comparison of their assumptions shows how to accurately derive poles of the scattering matrix in the R-matrix formalism and suggests how to extend the Siegert-pseudostate method to higher partial waves. The different concepts are illustrated with the Bargmann potential and with the centrifugal potential. A simplification of the R-matrix treatment can usefully be extended to the Siegert-pseudostate method.Comment: 19 pages, 1 figur

Time-dependent analysis of the nuclear and Coulomb dissociation of 11Be

The breakup of 11Be on carbon and lead targets around 70 MeV/nucleon is investigated within a semiclassical framework. The role of the 5/2+ resonance is analyzed in both cases. It induces a narrow peak in the nuclear-induced breakup cross section, while its effect on Coulomb breakup is small. The nuclear interactions between the projectile and the target is responsible for the transition toward this resonant state. The influence of the parametrization of the 10Be-n potential that simulates 11Be is also addressed. The breakup calculation is found to be dependent on the potential choice. This leads us to question the reliability of this technique to extract spectroscopic factors.Comment: 9 pages, 6 figures, to be published in the Proceedings of the Second Argonne/MSU/JINA/INT RIA Workshop on Reaction Mechanisms for rare Isotope Beams (2005

Green's function method for strength function in three-body continuum

Practical methods to compute dipole strengths for a three-body system by using a discretized continuum are analyzed. New techniques involving Green's function are developed, either by correcting the tail of the approximate wave function in a direct calculation of the strength function or by using a solution of a driven Schroedinger equation in a summed expression of the strength. They are compared with the complex scaling method and the Lorentz integral transform, also making use of a discretized continuum. Numerical tests are performed with a hyperscalar three-body potential in the hyperspherical-harmonics formalism. They show that the Lorentz integral transform method is less practical than the other methods because of a difficult inverse transform. These other methods provide in general comparable accuracies.Comment: 22 pages, 8 figures, to appear in Progress of Theoretical Physic

Analysis of the 6^6He β\beta decay into the α+d\alpha+d continuum within a three-body model

The beta-decay process of the $^6$He halo nucleus into the alpha+d continuum is studied in a three-body model. The $^6$He nucleus is described as an alpha+n+n system in hyperspherical coordinates on a Lagrange mesh. The convergence of the Gamow-Teller matrix element requires the knowledge of wave functions up to about 30 fm and of hypermomentum components up to K=24. The shape and absolute values of the transition probability per time and energy units of a recent experiment can be reproduced very well with an appropriate alpha+d potential. A total transition probability of 1.6E-6 s$^{-1}$ is obtained in agreement with that experiment. Halo effects are shown to be very important because of a strong cancellation between the internal and halo components of the matrix element, as observed in previous studies. The forbidden bound state in the alpha+d potential is found essential to reproduce the order of magnitude of the data. Comments are made on R-matrix fits.Comment: 18 pages, 9 figures. Accepted for publication in Phys.Rev.