Correlations in nuclear matter and nuclei*

For a realistic description of nuclear matter, one should start from the bare interactions between the constituent hadrons and then include modifications of the nucleon propagation due to the medium. This introduces important correlations in the nuclear wave function, as opposed to operating at the mean-field level. Short-range correlations (SRC), in particular, originate from the repulsive core of the nuclear force and depend on the nature and strength of the nuclear forces being employed [1].

We will discuss recent predictions of nuclear matter properties based on modern, high-precision chiral interactions [2]. Based on interactions of the same nature, we will also address investigations, presently in progress, of SRC and momentum distributions in few-body systems, with reference to analyses of inclusive electron scattering experiments [3].

[1] F. Sammarruca, Phys. Rev. C  90, 064312 (2014), and references therein.

[2] D.R. Entem, R. Machleidt, and Y. Nosyk, Phys. Rev. C  96, 024004 (2017).

[3] K.S. Egiyan et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 96, 082501 (2006).