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

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

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

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

Formation and dynamics of fission fragments

Although the overall time-scale for nuclear fission is long, suggesting a slow process, rapid shape evolution occurs in its later stages near scission. Theoretical prediction of the fission fragments and their characteristics are often based on the assumption that the internal degrees of freedom are equilibrated along the fission path. However, this adiabatic approximation may break down near scission. This is studied for the symmetric fission of $^{258,264}$Fm. The non-adiabatic evolution is computed using the time-dependent Hartree-Fock method, starting from an adiabatic configuration where the fragments have acquired their identity. It is shown that dynamics has an important effect on the kinetic and excitation energies of the fragments. The vibrational modes of the fragments in the post-scission evolution are also analyzed.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures. Accepted for publication in Phys. Rev. C - Rapid Communitatio

Isospin coupling in time-dependent-mean-field theories and decay of isovector excitations

We show that isospin non-diagonal terms should appear in the mean field Hamiltonian when neutron-proton symmetry is broken. They give rise to charge mixing in the single-particle wave-functions. We study the Time Dependent Hartree-Fock response of a charge-exchange excitation which generates a charge mixing in Ca isotopes. We find an enhancement of the low energy proton emission in neutron-rich isotopes interpreted in terms of a charge oscillation below the barrier.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure

Particle transfer reactions with the time-dependent Hartree-Fock theory using a particle number projection technique

A particle-number projection technique is used to calculate transfer probabilities in the $^{16}$O+$^{208}$Pb reaction below the fusion barrier. The time evolution of the many-body wave function is obtained with the time-dependent Hartree-Fock (TDHF) mean-field theory. The agreement with experimental data for the sum of the proton-transfer channels is good, considering that TDHF has no parameter adjusted on reaction mechanism. Some perspectives for extensions beyond TDHF to include cluster-transfers are discussed.Comment: Ref. 30 update

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

Equilibration dynamics and isospin effects in nuclear reactions

We discuss equilibration times and isospin effect for various quantities in low-energy heavy-ion reactions. These include equilibration of mass, isospin, and total kinetic energy (TKE) in quasifission and deep-inelastic reactions. The calculations are performed using the time-dependent Hartree-Fock theory. The influence of shell effects on the equilibration times are also discussed in the context of theoretical and experimental results.Comment: 7 pages, 5 figures, proceedings of IWM-EC201