Reaction cross section of proton scattering consistent with PREX-II (published in Results in Physics)

TL;DR

This study determines reaction cross sections of proton scattering that align with PREX-II's neutron skin thickness, using theoretical models and experimental data at energies above 400 MeV.

Contribution

It provides a method to extract reaction cross sections consistent with PREX-II neutron skin measurements using theoretical density models and scattering data.

Findings

Reaction cross sections at specific energies match PREX-II neutron skin results.

Theoretical models accurately reproduce experimental reaction cross sections.

Neutron and matter radii are consistent with experimental and theoretical values.

Abstract

Background: The neutron skin thickness $R_{\rm skin}^{\rm PV}$ of PREX-II is presented in Phys. Rev. Lett. {\bf 126}, 172502 (2021). The reaction cross section $\sigma_R$ is useful to determine the matter radius $R_m$ and $R_{\rm skin}$. For proton scattering, the reaction cross section $\sigma_R$ are available for $E_{\rm in} > 400$ MeV. Method and results: We determine $R_n^{\rm exp}=5.727 \pm 0.071$ fm and $R_m^{\rm exp}=5.617 \pm 0.044$ fm from $R_p^{\rm exp}$ = 5.444 fm and $R_{\rm skin}^{\rm PV}$. The $R_p^{\rm GHFB}$ calculated with D1S-GHFB with the angular momentum projection (AMP). agrees with $R_p^{\rm exp}$. The neutron density calculated with GHFB+AMP is scaled so as to $R_n^{\rm scaling}=5.727$ fm. The Love-Franey $t$-matrix model with the scaled densities reproduces the data on $\sigma_R$. Aim: Our aim is to find the $\sigma_R$ of proton scattering consistent with $R_{\rm skin}^{\rm PV}$. Conclusion: The $\sigma_R$ of proton scattering consistent with $R_{\rm skin}^{\rm PV}$ are $\sigma_R^{\rm exp}$ at $E_{\rm in} = 534.1, 549, 806$ MeV.