Theoretical Nuclear Physics

The nuclear theory program includes research in nuclear structure, astrophysics, relativistic heavy-ion physics, and hadronstructure. The nuclear structure and astrophysics programs are strongly tied to the physics carried out with the RIB program in theORNL Physics Division, while the relativistic heavy-ion program provides support and guidance for the PHENIX experiment at BNL, andALICE experiment at CERN LHC, and the hadron structure work supports programs at TJNAF.Research in nuclear structure andastrophysics theory has expanded to take advantage of the new opportunities presented by the HRIBF facility. Investigations begun inthis area include studies of drip-line properties, nuclear masses for astrophysics, nuclear structure relevant for neutrinolessdouble-beta-decay searches, high-spin states, and beta decay and electron capture using a variety of approaches including thecoupled-cluster method, nuclear Density Functional Theory, Monte Carlo shell model, and the Gamow shell model. Large-scalenumerical simulations of core collapse supernova explosions, nucleosynthesis calculations in different astrophysical environments,and calculations for nuclear reactions of particle emission from proton-rich nuclei are part of our effort in astrophysics.Inthe area of relativistic heavy ions and hadron spectroscopy, new calculations are reported for string models of hadronic evolutionand hadronization and for quark models of meson structure.