Three-Nucleon Low-Energy Constants from the Consistency of Interactions and Currents in Chiral Effective Field Theory

TL;DR

This paper determines the low-energy constants c_D and c_E in chiral effective field theory by using precise calculations of A=3 binding energies and triton beta decay, ensuring interaction-current consistency.

Contribution

It provides a robust method to constrain low-energy constants using multiple observables, emphasizing the importance of interaction-current consistency in chiral EFT.

Findings

Accurate determination of c_D and c_E from A=3 observables.

Successful prediction of properties of A=3 and A=4 nuclei.

Demonstrates the importance of interaction-current consistency in chiral EFT.

Abstract

The chiral low-energy constants c_D and c_E are constrained by means of accurate ab initio calculations of the A=3 binding energies and, for the first time, of the triton beta decay. We demonstrate that these low-energy observables allow a robust determination of the two undetermined constants. The consistency of the interactions and currents in chiral effective field theory is crucial to this remarkable result. The two- plus three-nucleon interactions from chiral effective field theory defined by properties of the A=2 system and the present determination of c_D and c_E are successful in predicting properties of the A=3, and 4 systems.