Knowledge Bank

The Stochastic Variational Method (SVM) is a powerful way of numerically calculating bound-state energies for few-body systems. It has, however, never been used in momentum representation. Recent advances using Similarity Renormalization Group (SRG) methods allow inter-nucleon potentials to be evolved, in momentum representation, into a form that may be suitable for calculations using variational techniques. Using the deuteron (N = 2) as a simple model, the SVM is shown to work in momentum representation as a proof-ofprinciple. Further, the SVM is also shown to be effective on an SRG-evolved potential. These results motivate the generalization of the SVM to N > 2 bodies for use on SRG evolved potentials and point the way towards that goal.