Evidence of a proton halo in $^{23}$Al: A mean field analysis

TL;DR

This study uses relativistic mean field theory and Glauber model calculations to analyze the structure of Al isotopes, providing evidence that $^{23}$Al exhibits a proton halo due to its unique nuclear properties.

Contribution

It presents a combined theoretical and experimental analysis revealing the proton halo structure in $^{23}$Al, which is a novel insight into its nuclear configuration.

Findings

Enhanced total reaction cross section for $^{23}$Al

Higher rms radius indicating extended nuclear matter

Narrow momentum distribution supporting halo structure

Abstract

We have studied the nuclear structure properties like binding energy, charge radius, quadrupole deformation parameter for various isotopes of Al from the valley of stability to drip line region using the well known relativistic mean field formalism (RMF) with NL3 parameter set. We have compared our results with experimental data and found reasonable agreement. Further, we have taken spherical and deformed RMF densities to estimate the reaction dynamics of $^{23-28}$Al isotopes as projectiles and $^{12}$C as target by conjunction in Glauber model. The estimated results are also compared with the experimental data. The analysis of angular elastic differential and one proton removal cross sections are also studied with Glauber model many body system to investigate the structural feature of $^{23}$Al. The evidence of enhanced total reaction cross section, higher value of rms radius, narrow longitudinal momentum distribution and small proton separation energy of $^{23}$Al support its proton halo structure.