Challenges in description of heavy-ion collisions with microscopic time-dependent approaches

Important efforts have been dedicated in the past few years to describe near-barrier heavy-ion collisions with microscopic quantum theories like the time-dependent Hartree-Fock approach and some of its extensions. However, this field is still facing important challenges such as the description of cluster dynamics, the prediction of fragment characteristics in damped collisions, and sub-barrier fusion by quantum tunnelling. These challenges are discussed and possible approaches to solve them are presented.Comment: 13 pages, 4 figures. To appear in the special issue of Journal of Physics G on open problems in nuclear reaction theor

Effect of shell structure on the fission of sub-lead nuclei

Fission of atomic nuclei often produces mass asymmetric fragments. However, the origin of this asymmetry was believed to be different in actinides and in the sub-lead region [A. Andreyev {\it et al.}, Phys. Rev. Lett. {\bf 105}, 252502 (2010)]. It has recently been argued that quantum shell effects stabilising pear shapes of the fission fragments could explain the observed asymmetries in fission of actinides[G. Scamps and C. Simenel, Nature {\bf 564}, 382 (2018)]. This interpretation is tested in the sub-lead region using microscopic mean-field calculations of fission based on the Hartree-Fock approach with BCS pairing correlations. The evolution of the number of protons and neutrons in asymmetric fragments of mercury isotope fissions is interpreted in terms of deformed shell gaps in the fragments. A new method is proposed to investigate the dominant shell effects in the pre-fragments at scission. We conclude that the mechanisms responsible for asymmetric fissions in the sub-lead region are the same as in the actinide region, which is a strong indication of their universality.Comment: Accepted as a rapid communication by Phys. Rev.

TDHF investigations of the U+U quasifission process

The use of actinide collisions have been suggested as a way to produce neutron rich isotopes of high Z nuclei. The collision dynamics of these reactions can be studied using unrestricted time-dependent Hartree-Fock (TDHF) calculations. Here, we report on the recent studies of quasifission for the $^{238}$U+$^{238}$U system.Comment: Presented at the XXXV Mazurian Lakes Conference on Physics, Piaski, Poland, September 3-9, 2017

Particle number fluctuations and correlations in transfer reactions obtained using the Balian-V\'en\'eroni variational principle

The Balian-V\'en\'eroni (BV) variational principle, which optimizes the evolution of the state according to the relevant observable in a given variational space, is used at the mean-field level to determine the particle number fluctuations in fragments of many-body systems. For fermions, the numerical evaluation of such fluctuations requires the use of a time-dependent Hartree-Fock (TDHF) code. Proton, neutron and total nucleon number fluctuations in fragments produced in collisions of two 40Ca are computed for a large range of angular momenta at a center of mass energy E_cm=128 MeV, well above the fusion barrier. For deep-inelastic collisions, the fluctuations calculated from the BV variational principle are much larger than standard TDHF results, and closer to mass and charge experimental fluctuations. For the first time, correlations between proton and neutron numbers are determined within a quantum microscopic approach. These correlations are shown to be larger with exotic systems where charge equilibration occurs.Comment: Accepted for publication in Phys. Rev. Lett. New version with more detailed comparison with experimental data and prediction for exotic beam

Microscopic approaches for nuclear Many-Body dynamics: applications to nuclear reactions

These lecture notes are addressed to PhD student and/or researchers who want a general overview of microscopic approaches based on mean-field and applied to nuclear dynamics. Our goal is to provide a good description of low energy heavy-ion collisions. We present both formal aspects and practical applications of the time-dependent Hartree-Fock (TDHF) theory. The TDHF approach gives a mean field dynamics of the system under the assumption that particles evolve independently in their self-consistent average field. As an example, we study the fusion of both spherical and deformed nuclei with TDHF. We also focus on nucleon transfer which may occur between nuclei below the barrier. These studies allow us to specify the range of applications of TDHF in one hand, and, on the other hand, its intrinsic limitations: absence of tunneling below the Coulomb barrier, missing dissipative effects and/or quantum fluctuations. Time-dependent mean-field theories should be improved to properly account for these effects. Several approaches, generically named "beyond TDHF" are presented which account for instance for pairing and/or direct nucleon-nucleon collisions. Finally we discuss recent progresses in exact ab-initio methods based on the stochastic mean-field concept.Comment: 55 pages. Lecture given at the "Joliot Curie" school, Maubuisson, september 17-22, 2007. A french version is available at http://www.cenbg.in2p3.fr/heberge/EcoleJoliotCurie/coursannee/cours/CoursSimenel.pd

Nuclear Quantum Many-Body Dynamics: From Collective Vibrations to Heavy-Ion Collisions

A summary of recent researches on nuclear dynamics with realistic microscopic quantum approaches is presented. The Balian-V\'en\'eroni variational principle is used to derive the time-dependent Hartree-Fock (TDHF) equation describing the dynamics at the mean-field level, as well as an extension including small-amplitude quantum fluctuations which is equivalent to the time-dependent random-phase approximation (TDRPA). Such formalisms as well as their practical implementation in the nuclear physics framework with modern three-dimensional codes are discussed. Recent applications to nuclear dynamics, from collective vibrations to heavy-ion collisions are presented. A particular attention is devoted to the interplay between collective motions and internal degrees of freedom. For instance, the harmonic nature of collective vibrations is questioned. Nuclei are also known to exhibit superfluidity due to pairing residual interaction. Extensions of the theoretical approach to study such pairing vibrations are now available. Large amplitude collective motions are investigated in the framework of heavy-ion collisions leading, for instance, to the formation of a compound system. How fusion is affected by the internal structure of the collision partners, such as their deformation, is discussed. Other mechanisms in competition with fusion, and responsible for the formation of fragments which differ from the entrance channel (transfer reactions, deep-inelastic collisions, and quasi-fission) are investigated. Finally, studies of actinide collisions forming, during very short times of few zeptoseconds, the heaviest nuclear systems available on Earth, are presented.Comment: 49 pages. Review article to be published in EPJA. v.3: minor changes in Eqs. 2.50, A.13 and B.3

A new inverse quasifission mechanism to produce neutron-rich transfermium nuclei

Based on time-dependent Hartree-Fock theory, a new inverse quasifission mechanism is proposed to produce neutron-rich transfermium nuclei, in collision of prolate deformed actinides. Calculations show that collision of the tip of one nucleus with the side of the other results in a nucleon flux toward the latter. The role of nucleon evaporation and impact parameter, as well as the collision time are discussed.Comment: 8 pages, 7 figure

Quantum microscopic approach to low-energy heavy ion collisions

The Time-dependent Hartree-Fock (TDHF) theory is applied to the study of heavy ion collisions at energies around the Coulomb barrier. The competition between fusion and nucleon transfer mechanisms is investigated. For intermediate mass systems such as 16O+208Pb, proton transfer favors fusion by reducing the Coulomb repulsion. A comparison with sub-barrier transfer experimental data shows that pairing correlations are playing an important role in enhancing proton pair transfer. For heavier and more symmetric systems, a fusion hindrance is observed due to the dominance of the quasi-fission process. Typical quasi-fission time of few zeptoseconds are obtained. Actinide collisions are also investigated both within the TDHF approach and with the Ballian-V\'en\'eroni prescription for fluctuation and correlation of one-body observables. The possible formation of new heavy neutron-rich nuclei in actinide collisions is discussed.Comment: Invited Plenary Talk given at NN201

Time-dependent mean-field investigations of the quasifission process

We demonstrate that the microscopic Time-dependent Hartree-Fock (TDHF) theory provides an important approach to shed light on the nuclear dynamics leading to the formation of superheavy elements. In particular, we discuss studying quasifission dynamics and calculating ingredients for compound nucleus formation probability calculations. We also discuss possible extensions to TDHF to address the distribution of observables.Comment: Proceedings of a talk given at FUSION17, Hobart, Tasmania, AU (20-24 February, 2017