The exact treatment of nuclei starting from the constituent nucleons and the fundamental interactions among them has been a long-standing goal in nuclear physics. In addition to the complex nature of nuclear forces, one faces the quantum-mechanical many-nucleon problem governed by an interplay between bound and continuum states. In recent years, significant progress has been made in ab initio nuclear structure and reaction calculations based on input from QCD employing Hamiltonians constructed within chiral effective field theory. In this contribution, we present one of such promising techniques capable of describing simultaneously both bound and scattering states in light nuclei. By combining the resonating-group method (RGM) with the ab initio no-core shell model (NCSM), we complement a microscopic cluster approach with the use of realistic interactions and a microscopic and consistent description of the clusters. We discuss applications to light nuclei scattering, radiative capture and fusion reactions.

Recent advances in ab initio quantum many-body methods and growth in computer power now enable highly precise calculations of nuclear structure. The precision has attained a level sufficient to make clear statements on the nature of 3-body forces in nuclear physics. Total binding energies, spin-dependent structure effects, and electroweak properties of light nuclei play major roles in pinpointing properties of the underlying strong interaction. Eventually, we anticipate a theory bridge with immense predictive power from QCD through nuclear forces to nuclear structure and nuclear reactions. Light front Hamiltonian quantum field theory offers an attractive pathway and we outline key elements.

Since the mid-1980s increasing effort has been put into light exotic nuclei, that is light nuclei of unusual composition. The research of the exotic nuclei began with the advent of accelerated beams of such nuclei. This new technique has revitalized nuclear physics, and the facilities producing radioactive ion beams now offer opportunities for pion

The first complete ab initio leading-order effective interactions for protons or neutrons on light spin-0 nuclei are presented. The technological advances leading to this result are described in detail starting with the nonlocal momentum distributions created from No Core Shell Model (NCSM) reduced matrix elements. The effective potential is calculated using the leading-order of the multiple scattering approach with the NN amplitudes expressed in terms of Wolfenstein amplitudes. In order for the effective interaction to be ab initio, the complete NN interaction enters both the reaction as well as the structure calculation on equal footing. Elastic scattering amplitudes for this work are mostly limited 100 to 200 MeV projectile kinetic energy to be consistent with a leading-order calculation. This work for the first time takes into account the spin of the struck target nucleon in a realistic calculation. Elastic scattering observables for closed-shell nuclei 4He and 16O are given along with a comparison to previous assumptions that neglect the spin of the struck nucleon. The same observables for open-shell nuclei 12C, 6He, and 8He are presented with the same comparison. It is found that the difference between a complete ab initio calculation and one that neglects the spin of the struck nucleon is small for nuclei that have equal numbers of protons and neutrons. For nuclei with N , Z, the effect of the spin from the struck nucleon is energy dependent and significant at lower energies. The quality of the first leading-order ab initio effective interaction calculation to predict scattering observables is found to be good for the studied range of energies and nuclei and for the NN interaction chosen for this work.

This handbook is a comprehensive, systematic source of modern nuclear physics. It aims to summarize experimental and theoretical discoveries and an understanding of unstable nuclei and their exotic structures, which were opened up by the development of radioactive ion (RI) beam in the late 1980s. The handbook comprises three major parts. In the first part, the experiments and measured facts are well organized and reviewed. The second part summarizes recognized theories to explain the experimental facts introduced in the first part. Reflecting recent synergistic progress involving both experiment and theory, the chapters both parts are mutually related. The last part focuses on cosmo-nuclear physics—one of the mainstream subjects in modern nuclear physics. Those comprehensive topics are presented concisely. Supported by introductory reviews, all chapters are designed to present their topics in a manner accessible to readers at the graduate level. The book therefore serves as a valuable source for beginners as well, helping them to learn modern nuclear physics.

There has been a significant progress in ab initio approaches to the structure of light nuclei. Starting from realistic two- and three-nucleon interactions the ab initio no-core shell model (NCSM) can predict low-lying levels in p-shell nuclei. It is a challenging task to extend ab initio methods to describe nuclear reactions. In this contribution, we present a brief overview of the NCSM with examples of recent applications as well as the first steps taken toward nuclear reaction applications. In particular, we discuss cross section calculations of p+[sup 6]Li and [sup 6]He+p scattering as well as a calculation of the astrophysically important [sup 7]Be(p, [gamma])[sup 8]B S-factor.