The mean free path of protons and neutrons in isospin-asymmetric nuclear matter

TL;DR

This paper calculates the mean free paths of protons and neutrons in nuclear matter using microscopic in-medium cross sections, highlighting energy and isospin effects, with implications for rare isotope research.

Contribution

It introduces a microscopic approach to determine nucleon mean free paths considering relativistic effects and isospin asymmetry.

Findings

Mean free path varies with energy and isospin asymmetry.

Relativistic Dirac effects significantly influence cross sections.

Results may aid in studying rare isotopes.

Abstract

We calculate the mean free path of protons and neutrons in symmetric and asymmetric nuclear matter, based on microscopic in-medium nucleon-nucleon cross sections. Those are obtained from calculations of the G-matrix including relativistic "Dirac" effects. The dependence of the mean free path on energy and isospin asymmetry is discussed. We conclude by suggesting possible ways our microscopic predictions may be helpful in conjunction with studies of rare isotopes.