Eur. Phys. J. Plus (2016) 131: 13
https://doi.org/10.1140/epjp/i2016-16013-y

Regular Article

Reaction theory

GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH, Planckstraße 1, 64291, Darmstadt, Germany

^* e-mail: s.typel@gsi.de

Received: 20 October 2015
Accepted: 28 November 2015
Published online: 15 January 2016

Abstract

Reactions with atomic nuclei play a pivotal role in the experimental study of nuclei. They are a tool in order to obtain crucial information on nuclear structure of nuclei, in particular for unstable nuclei far off the valley of stability. Besides the investigation of nuclear properties, nuclear reactions can be used as indirect methods to extract cross sections of astrophysical interest that cannot be measured directly in the laboratory. After an overview over the variety of nuclear reactions and their major characteristics, the basic formalism of reaction theory is introduced and essential concepts are presented in order to describe direct reactions. The main challenges in the future development of reaction theory are addressed.