Geometry of vanishing flow: a new probe to determine the in-medium nucleon nucleon cross-section

TL;DR

This paper investigates the geometry of vanishing flow in nuclear collisions as a potential method to accurately determine the in-medium nucleon-nucleon cross-section, which is crucial for understanding nuclear matter interactions.

Contribution

It introduces the concept of the geometry of vanishing flow (GVF) as a new probe that is sensitive to the nucleon-nucleon cross-section but insensitive to the equation of state and momentum-dependent interactions.

Findings

GVF is insensitive to the equation of state.

GVF is sensitive to the nucleon-nucleon cross-section.

Transverse flow behavior varies with impact parameter and mass.

Abstract

We study the transverse flow throughout the mass range from $^{20}Ne+^{20}Ne$ to $^{131}Xe+^{131}Xe$ as a function of the impact parameter. We find that at smaller impact parameters the flow is negative while going through the impact parameter, transverse flow vanishes at a particular colliding geometry named GVF. We find that the mass dependence of GVF is insensitive to the equation of state and momentum dependent interactions whereas it is quite sensitive to the cross section. So it can act as a useful tool to pin down the nucleon nucleon cross section.