T-16 Nuclear Physics Group

The correct description of heavy nuclei is an extraordinarily challenge to nuclear theory. Such systems are not only relevant to nuclear astrophysics but they should also be considered as an ideal testing ground for modern nuclear Hamiltonoans derived from effective field theory. Density Functional Theory is one tool that can be used to calculate the properties of heavy nuclei. However, the (Skyrme) functionals currently used within this framework are neither related to our microscopic understanding of the nuclear interaction nore are they able to describe nuclei far from stability. I will discuss recent work which aims at a microscopic derivation of a density functional based on a combination of many-body perturbation theory and low-momentum interactions. Furthermore, I will outline which topics will be addressed in the near future.