Towards a microscopic description of reactions involving exotic nuclei.
We propose an extension of the continuum discretized coupled channels (CDCC) method, where the projectile is described by a microscopic cluster model. This microscopic generalization (MCDCC) relies only on nucleon-target interactions, and therefore presents an important predictive power. Core excitations can be included without any further parameter. As an example, we investigate the 7Li+208Pb elastic scattering at Elab=27 and 35 MeV. The 7Li nucleus is known to present an α+t cluster structure, and is well described by the resonating group method. An excellent agreement is obtained for the 7Li+208Pb elastic cross sections, provided that breakup channels are properly included. We also present an application to inelastic scattering and discuss future applications of the MCDCC.