Scaling limit analysis of Borromean halos

TL;DR

This paper models Borromean halo nuclei using a renormalized three-body zero-range force approach, successfully reproducing experimental momentum distributions and providing insights into their virtual states and separation energies.

Contribution

It introduces a universal three-body model for Borromean nuclei that accurately predicts core recoil momentum distributions without free parameters.

Findings

Reproduces experimental data for $^{11}$Li and $^{14}$Be

Suggests a virtual state below 1 MeV for $^{21}$C

Estimates $^{22}$C separation energy between 100-400 keV

Abstract

The analysis of the core recoil momentum distribution of neutron-rich isotopes of light exotic nuclei is performed within a model of the halo nuclei described by a core and two neutrons dominated by the $s-$wave channel. We adopt the renormalized three-body model with a zero-range force, that accounts for the universal Efimov physics. This model is applicable to nuclei with large two-neutron halos compared to the core size, and a neutron-core scattering length larger than the interaction range. The halo wave function in momentum space is obtained by using as inputs the two-neutron separation energy and the energies of the singlet neutron-neutron and neutron-core virtual states. Within our model, we obtain the momentum probability densities for the Borromean exotic nuclei Lithium-11 ($^{11}$Li), Berylium-14 ($^{14}$Be) and Carbon-22 ($^{22}$C). A fair reproduction of the experimental data was obtained in the case of the core recoil momentum distribution of $^{11}$Li and $^{14}$Be, without free parameters. By extending the model to $^{22}$C, the combined analysis of the core momentum distribution and matter radius suggest (i) a $^{21}$C virtual state well below 1 MeV; (ii) an overestimation of the extracted matter $^{22}$C radius; and (iii) a two-neutron separation energy between 100 and 400 keV.