2008/07/21 by David L. Canham, H. -W. Hammer
Chemistry · Physics and Astronomy · #Advanced Physical and Chemical Molecular Interactions #Crystallography and Radiation Phenomena #Nuclear physics research studies #nucl-th
paper · pdf · doi:10.1140/epja/i2008-10632-4
published as Eur.Phys.J.A37:367-380,2008 · 23 pages, 9 eps figures, revtex4
arxiv created 2008/07/21 · openalex publication_date 2008/08/26 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01 · openalex created_date 2016/06/24 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
The universal properties and structure of halo nuclei composed of two neutrons (2n) and a core are investigated within an effective quantum mechanics framework. We construct an effective interaction potential that exploits the separation of scales in halo nuclei and treat the nucleus as an effective three-body system. The uncertainty from higher orders in the expansion is quantified through theoretical error bands. First, we investigate the possibility to observe excited Efimov states in 2n halo nuclei. Based on the experimental data, 20C is the only halo nucleus candidate to possibly have an Efimov excited state, with an energy less than 7 keV below the scattering threshold. Second, we study the structure of 20C and other 2n halo nuclei. In particular, we calculate their matter form factors, radii, and two-neutron opening angles.