Many-Body Physics on the Border of Nuclear Stability

A brief overview is given of the Continuum Shell Model, a novel approach that extends the traditional nuclear shell model into the domain of unstable nuclei and nuclear reactions. While some of the theoretical aspects, such as role and treatment of one- and two-nucleon continuum states, are discussed more in detail, a special emphasis is made on relation to observed nuclear properties, including definitions of the decay widths and their relation to the cross sections, especially in the cases of non-exponential decay. For the chain of He isotopes we demonstrate the agreement of theoretical results with recent experimental data. We show how the interplay of internal collectivity and coherent coupling to continuum gives rise to the universal mechanism of creating pigmy giant resonances.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figure

Super-Radiance: From Nuclear Physics to Pentaquarks

The phenomenon of super-radiance in quantum optics predicted by Dicke 50 years ago and observed experimentally has its counterparts in many-body systems on the borderline between discrete spectrum and continuum. The interaction of overlapping resonances through the continuum leads to the redistribution of widths and creation of broad super-radiant states and long-lived compound states. We explain the physics of super-radiance and discuss applications to weakly bound nuclei, giant resonances and widths of exotic baryons.Comment: 10 pages, 4 figure

Cluster algebras II: Finite type classification

This paper continues the study of cluster algebras initiated in math.RT/0104151. Its main result is the complete classification of the cluster algebras of finite type, i.e., those with finitely many clusters. This classification turns out to be identical to the Cartan-Killing classification of semisimple Lie algebras and finite root systems, which is intriguing since in most cases, the symmetry exhibited by the Cartan-Killing type of a cluster algebra is not at all apparent from its geometric origin. The combinatorial structure behind a cluster algebra of finite type is captured by its cluster complex. We identify this complex as the normal fan of a generalized associahedron introduced and studied in hep-th/0111053 and math.CO/0202004. Another essential combinatorial ingredient of our arguments is a new characterization of the Dynkin diagrams.Comment: 50 pages, 18 figures. Version 2: new introduction; final version, to appear in Invent. Mat