The $\eta^\prime N$ interaction from the $\eta^\prime p$ correlation function

TL;DR

This paper explores the $ a^\prime p$ correlation function to gain insights into the $ a^\prime N$ interaction, highlighting its sensitivity to the scattering length and potential to inform on $ a^\prime$ bound states.

Contribution

First evaluation of the $ a^\prime p$ femtoscopic correlation function, demonstrating its sensitivity to the $ a^\prime p$ scattering length and potential to resolve key nuclear physics questions.

Findings

Correlation function is highly sensitive to the scattering length.

Measurement can provide valuable information on $ a^\prime N$ interaction.

Potential to determine existence of $ a^\prime$ nucleus bound states.

Abstract

We evaluate for the first time the $\eta^\prime p$ femtoscopic correlation function to study the $\eta^\prime N$ interaction. We find it extremely sensitive to the value of the $\eta^\prime p$ scattering length, for which at present there exists only very limited information, not even knowing its sign. The measurement of this correlation function would provide much valuable information on the $\eta^\prime N$ interaction, which could then also be used to settle the issue of possible $\eta^\prime$ nucleus bound states, an issue attracting much attention in the nuclear physics community.