Ab initio investigations of A=8 nuclei: α–α scattering, deformation in ⁸He, radiative capture of protons on ⁷Be and ⁷Li and the X17 boson

We apply the No-Core Shell Model with Continuum (NCSMC) that is capable of describing both bound and unbound states in light nuclei in a unified way with chiral two- and three-nucleon interactions as the only input. The NCSMC can predict structure and dynamics of light nuclei and, by comparing to available experimental data, test the quality of chiral nuclear forces. We discuss applications of NCSMC to the α–α scattering and the structure of ⁸Be, the p+⁷Be and p+⁷Li radiative capture and the production of the hypothetical X17 boson claimed in ATOMKI experiments. The ⁷Be(p, γ)⁸B reaction plays a role in Solar nucleosynthesis and Solar neutrino physics and has been subject of numerous experimental investigations. We also highlight our investigation of the neutron rich exotic ⁸He that has been recently studied experimentally at TRIUMF with an unexpected deformation reported.