Ab initio computations of atomic nuclei

Abstract

Ab initio computations of atomic nuclei, based on Hamiltonians from effective field theories of quantum chromodynamics, are now routinely used to predict and describe properties of medium heavy nuclei, and even the heavy nucleus ${}^{208}$Pb has been reached. These lecture notes describe what are the central ideas and concepts behind the Hamiltonians and some of the methods that have enabled this progress.

Comments: 50 pages. Contribution to the Proceedings of the International Summer School "Enrico Fermi", Course 213: Nuclear Structure and Reactions From a Broad Perspective, Varenna, Italy, June 27 - July 2, 2024