Ab initio calculations of few-body reactions

An overarching goal of nuclear physics is to arrive at the comprehensive understanding – in terms of the laws of quantum mechanics and the underlying theory of the strong force (quantum chromodynamics) – of atomic nuclei and their interactions, and to use this understanding to accurately predict nuclear properties that play a fundamental role in explaining the inner workings of the Universe or are critical to the national security. I will present first-principles calculations of nuclear structural and reaction properties to predict thermonuclear reaction rates of interest for fusion energy technology and stellar nucleosynthesis.