The 3-$\alpha$ and 4-$\alpha$ particle systems within short-range Effective Field Theory

Abstract

${}^{12}\mathrm{C}$ and ${}^{16}\mathrm{O}$ nuclei represent essential elements for life on Earth. The study of their formation plays a key role in understanding heavy element nucleosynthesis and stellar evolution. In this paper we present the study of ${}^{12}\mathrm{C}$ and ${}^{16}\mathrm{O}$ nuclei as systems composed of $\alpha$-particle clusters using the short-range effective field theory approach. The fundamental and excited states of the studied nuclei are calculated within an ab-initio approach, using the Hyperspherical Harmonics method. Thanks to the two-body potential and fine-tuning of the three-body force, we have found the ${}^{12}\mathrm{C}$ system nicely reproduced by theory. However, for the ${}^{16}\mathrm{O}$ case, it is necessary to include a 4-body force in order to achieve agreement with the experimental data.