How to extract the electromagnetic response of $^6$He in relativistic collisions

TL;DR

This paper compares relativistic coupled-channels theory, perturbation theory, and semiclassical models to analyze the electromagnetic response of halo nucleus 6He in relativistic collisions, highlighting the importance of relativistic and nuclear effects.

Contribution

It introduces a relativistic coupled-channels approach for calculating dissociation cross sections of halo nuclei, improving the accuracy of electromagnetic response extraction.

Findings

Relativistic effects significantly influence dissociation cross sections.

Nuclear interactions impact the electromagnetic response extraction.

Semiclassical models may overlook important relativistic contributions.

Abstract

I investigate the difficulties in obtaining the electromagnetic response of light, halo-like, nuclei using reactions at radioactive beam facilities. A relativistic coupled-channels theory for the calculation of dissociation cross sections of halo nuclei is compared to first-order perturbation theory. A comparison with semiclassical models frequently used in experimental analysis is also performed. It is shown that the effects of relativity and of the nuclear interaction lead to sizable effects in the extraction of the electromagnetic response of 6He projectiles.