Measurement of $^{58}$Ni($p$, $p$)$^{58}$Ni elastic scattering at low momentum transfer by using the HIRFL-CSR heavy-ion storage ring

TL;DR

This paper reports the first in-ring proton elastic scattering experiment on $^{58}$Ni at the HIRFL-CSR storage ring, measuring differential cross sections and confirming theoretical models, thus opening new research avenues for exotic nuclei.

Contribution

It demonstrates the feasibility of in-ring reaction measurements at HIRFL-CSR and provides experimental data that validate optical model predictions for $^{58}$Ni.

Findings

Good agreement between measured and theoretical cross sections.

Successful normalization using K-shell X-ray measurements.

First in-ring elastic scattering measurement at HIRFL-CSR.

Abstract

The very first in-ring reaction experiment at the HIRFL-CSR heavy-ion storage ring, namely proton elastic scattering on stable $^{58}$Ni nuclei, is presented. The circulating $^{58}$Ni$^{19+}$ ions with an energy of 95 MeV/u were interacting repeatedly with an internal hydrogen gas target in the CSRe experimental ring. Low energy proton recoils from the elastic collisions were measured with an ultra-high vacuum compatible silicon-strip detector. Deduced differential cross sections were normalized by measuring K-shell X-rays from $^{58}$Ni$^{19+}$ projectiles due to the $^{58}$Ni$^{19+}$-H$_2$ ionization collisions. Compared to the experimental cross sections, a good agreement has been achieved with the theoretical predictions in the measured region, which were obtained by using the global phenomenological optical model potentials. Our results enable new research opportunities for optical model potential studies on exotic nuclides by using the in-ring reaction setup at the HIRFL-CSR facility.