Electroweak reactions with light nuclei

Abstract

The investigation of light nuclei with ab-initio methods provides an optimal setting to probe our knowledge on nuclear forces, because the few-nucleon problem can be solved accurately. Nucleons interact not only in pairs but also via many-body forces. Theoretical efforts need to be taken towards the identification of nuclear observables sensitive to the less known many-nucleon forces. Electromagnetic reactions can potentially provide useful information on this. We present results on photo-absorption and electron scattering off light nuclei, emphasizing the role of three-body forces and the comparison with experimental data. On the other hand, reactions induced by weak probes, like neutrino interactions with nucleonic matter, are relevant to astrophysics and can be calculated with few-body techniques. In this case, since often no experiment is possible, ab-initio predictions provide valuable input for astrophysical simulations.