The nucleon interaction and neutron matter from the renormalization group

Abstract

We show that the renormalization group decimation of modern nucleon potential models to low momenta results in a unique nucleon interaction V_{low k}. This interaction is free of short-ranged singularities and can be used directly in many-body calculations. The RG scaling properties follow directly from the invariance of the scattering phase shifts. We discuss the RG treatment of Fermi liquids. The RG equation for the scattering amplitude in the two particle-hole channels is given at zero temperature. The flow equations are simplified by retaining only the leading term in an expansion in small momentum transfers. The RG flow is illustrated by first studying a system of spin-polarized fermions in a simple model. Finally, results for neutron matter are presented by employing the unique low momentum interaction V_{low k} as initial condition of the flow. The RG approach yields the amplitude for non-forward scattering, which is of great interest for calculations of transport properties and superfluid gaps in neutron star interiors. The methods used can also be applied to condensed matter systems in the absence of long-ranged interactions.