Benchmarking projected generator coordinate method for nuclear Gamow-Teller transitions

Abstract: In this work, we aim to achieve a minimal extension of the quantum-number projected generator coordinate method (PGCM) to describe Gamow-Teller (GT) transition strengths in even-even nuclei and to compute the NME of $2νββ$ decay. Within the PGCM framework, the wave functions of odd-odd nuclei are constructed as superpositions of neutron- and proton-quasiparticle configurations built on a quasiparticle vacuum state with the average particle numbers constrained to be odd neutron and odd proton. The angular momentum and particle numbers associated with the underlying mean-field states are restored through projection techniques. Using a shell-model Hamiltonian defined in the $fp$ shell, we assess the validity of this approach by benchmarking GT transitions in calcium and titanium isotopes, as well as the $2νββ$ decay of $^{48}$Ca to $^{48}$Ti, against exact solutions. For comparison, we also confront our results with those obtained from configuration-interaction calculations employing different particle-hole truncation schemes, both with and without in-medium similarity renormalization group (IMSRG) evolution.