Universality in Few-Body Systems
Coordinators: Doerte Blume, Robin Côté, Olivier Dulieu, Chris H. Greene, and Alejandro Saenz
Scientific Advisors: Gerrit Groenenboom
Research into the physics of few-body systems (FBS) has gained renewed momentum in the last few years, particularly as a result of advances in studies of ultra-cold atomic and molecular quantum gases. Investigation of FBS in atomic, molecular, and optical (AMO) physics benefits from the combination of experimentally tunable interactions with innovative theoretical and numerical tools. The emergent universality seen in FBS is at the heart of synergy between seemingly disparate realizations such as AMO, condensed matter, and nuclear systems, as well as applications to chemistry and quantum information/quantum simulation. The goals of this program are to stimulate interactions amongst researchers from these communities and to explore the common features of diverse phenomena addressable with FBS techniques. Areas of key focus will highlight the central role that few-body physics can play to bring together researchers from many traditionally disjointed fields. Specific problems of study will include (i) novel theoretical formulations and quantum control, (ii) role of anisotropy, imbalance, multi-scale interactions, non-adiabaticity, confined geometries, (iii) applications to wide variety of nuclear, atomic/molecular, and condensed matter systems. A close interaction between theorists and experimentalists will stimulate new synergy in scientific exploration that will also help to bridge the gap between the physics of few- and many-body systems.