Effective-Range Expansion of the Neutron-Deuteron Scattering Studied by a Quark-Model Nonlocal Gaussian Potential

TL;DR

This paper derives neutron-deuteron scattering parameters using a quark-model based nonlocal potential, successfully reproducing experimental scattering lengths and cross sections without additional three-nucleon forces.

Contribution

It introduces a novel application of a quark-model nonlocal Gaussian potential to accurately describe neutron-deuteron scattering and related observables.

Findings

Reproduces observed doublet scattering length

Matches differential cross sections below breakup threshold

Nearly reproduces triton binding energy without three-nucleon force

Abstract

The S-wave effective range parameters of the neutron-deuteron (nd) scattering are derived in the Faddeev formalism, using a nonlocal Gaussian potential based on the quark-model baryon-baryon interaction fss2. The spin-doublet low-energy eigenphase shift is sufficiently attractive to reproduce predictions by the AV18 plus Urbana three-nucleon force, yielding the observed value of the doublet scattering length and the correct differential cross sections below the deuteron breakup threshold. This conclusion is consistent with the previous result for the triton binding energy, which is nearly reproduced by fss2 without reinforcing it with the three-nucleon force.