The ratio method: a new tool to study one-neutron halo nuclei

TL;DR

The paper discusses the ratio method, a novel approach for studying one-neutron halo nuclei using the ratio of breakup to elastic scattering cross sections, which provides structure information independent of reaction mechanisms.

Contribution

It explores the details, sensitivities, and reliability of the ratio method, offering guidelines and examples for experimental application.

Findings

The ratio method is insensitive to reaction mechanisms.

It effectively reveals nuclear structure details.

The method's reliability depends on breakup energy and projectile properties.

Abstract

Recently a new observable to study halo nuclei was introduced, based on the ratio between breakup and elastic angular cross sections. This new observable is shown by the analysis of specific reactions to be independent of the reaction mechanism and to provide nuclear-structure information of the projectile. Here we explore the details of this ratio method, including the sensitivity to binding energy and angular momentum of the projectile. We also study the reliability of the method with breakup energy. Finally, we provide guidelines and specific examples for experimentalists who wish to apply this method.