Subleading contributions to the nuclear scalar isoscalar currents

We extend our recent analyses of the nuclear vector, axial-vector and pseudoscalar currents and derive the leading one-loop corrections to the two-nucleon scalar current operator in the framework of chiral effective field theory using the method of unitary transformation. We also show that the scalar current operators at zero momentum transfer are directly related to the quark mass dependence of the nuclear forces.Comment: 14 pages, 6 figure

Extracting ππ\pi\pi SS-wave scattering lengths from cusp effect in heavy quarkonium dipion transitions

Charge-exchange rescattering $\pi^+\pi^-\to \pi^0\pi^0$ leads to a cusp effect in the $\pi^0\pi^0$ invariant mass spectrum of processes with $\pi^0\pi^0$ in the final state which can be used to measure $\pi\pi$ $S$-wave scattering lengths. Employing a non-relativistic effective field theory, we discuss the possibility of extracting the scattering lengths in heavy quarkonium $\pi^0\pi^0$ transitions. The transition $\Upsilon(3S)\to\Upsilon(2S)\pi^0\pi^0$ is studied in details. We discuss the precision that can be reached in such an extraction for a certain number of events.Comment: 15 pages, 7 figures, 1 tabl

Modern Theory of Nuclear Forces

Effective field theory allows for a systematic and model-independent derivation of the forces between nucleons in harmony with the symmetries of Quantum Chromodynamics. We review the foundations of this approach and discuss its application for light nuclei at various resolution scales. The extension of this approach to many-body systems is briefly sketched.Comment: Commissioned article for Reviews of Modern Physics, 52 pp, 40 fig