CAREER: To the Frontiers of Few-Nucleon Effective Field Theories

George Washington University, Washington DC

Investigators

Abstract

Modern Nuclear Physics rises to the challenge to understand how the complex structure of hadrons and nuclei at low energies emerges from Quantum Chromo Dynamics QCD, the fundamental theory of strong interactions. Effective Field Theory, the model-independent, systematic description at low energies, has lead to a vibrant interplay between experiment and theory. The goal of this project is a better understanding how the internal structure of nucleons and few-nucleon systems emerges from QCD: The heart of its approach are model-independent estimates of its theoretical uncertainties which in turn lead to reliable determinations of nuclear binding effects and few-nucleon forces. Both encode essential information about QCD. I merge this novel description with well-developed but sophisticated numerical techniques to extend it into the realm of light nuclei. Besides the intrinsic interest, I will investigate few-nucleon reactions which are hard, if not impossible, to measure but essential for Astro-Physics (e.g. in big-bang nucleo-synthesis or supernovae) and for tests of extensions of the Standard Model of Particle Physics. Such an approach is in addition vital to compare and understand proton and neutron properties with a minimum of theoretical prejudice. I therefore provide model-independent parameterisations and predictions in close contact with a variety of current and upcoming experiments. One focus is to extract the nucleon polarisabilities, and in particular the so-far poorly explored spin-polarisabilities, which contain essential information on the constituents and spin-structure of the nucleon. With research and teaching inseparable in higher education, I will train both undergraduate and graduate students in communication and teaching skills in a non-traditional format, enabling them to raise the general standard of scientific literacy. Students will apply the acquired skills in GW courses for school teachers and high-school pupils in the DC area, where the socio-economic and educational indicators are particularly low.