Four-body continuum-discretized coupled-channels calculations

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel continuum-bins discretization scheme for three-body projectiles, enabling more accurate coupled-channels calculations for reactions involving Borromean nuclei like 6He.

Contribution

It formulates and applies the first continuum-bins discretization method for three-body projectiles within the coupled-channels framework.

Findings

Successfully applied to 6He + 208Pb at 22 MeV

Accurately models Coulomb and nuclear interactions

Enhances reaction analysis of Borromean nuclei

Abstract

The development of a continuum-bins scheme of discretization for three-body projectiles is necessary for studies of reactions of Borromean nuclei such as 6He within the continuum-discretized coupled-channels approach. Such a procedure, for constructing bin states on selected continuum energy intervals, is formulated and applied for the first time to reactions of a three-body projectile. The continuum representation uses the eigenchannel expansion of the three-body S-matrix. The method is applied to the challenging case of the 6He + 208Pb reaction at 22 MeV, where an accurate treatment of both the Coulomb and the nuclear interactions with the target is necessary.