Manifestation of quark effects in nuclei via bremsstrahlung analysis in the proton-nucleus scattering

TL;DR

This study explores the potential to observe quark effects in nuclei through bremsstrahlung analysis in proton-nucleus scattering, highlighting subtle spectral differences influenced by in-medium nucleon magnetic moments.

Contribution

It introduces a novel method to detect quark effects in nuclei by analyzing bremsstrahlung spectra, incorporating in-medium modified nucleon magnetic moments based on the QMC model.

Findings

Slight spectral differences observed with and without quark effects in proton-gold scattering.

Quark effects are minimal in heavy nuclei but detectable in specific isotope ratios.

Proposes a new measurable observable for quark effects in nuclear reactions.

Abstract

\textbf{Background} (1) The incoherent emission of photons is dominant comparing to coherent one in proton-nucleus scattering. The incoherent bremsstrahlung is very sensitive to the magnetic moments of nucleons in nuclei. (2) According to the quark-meson coupling (QMC) model, the nucleon magnetic moments in nuclei are enhanced relative to those in vacuum, originating from the quark structure of nucleons. \textbf{Purpose} Investigate possibilities of observing quark effects in nuclei by the analysis of bremsstrahlung in nuclear reactions. \textbf{Methods} Analyse the bremsstrahlung cross sections with established model in proton-nucleus scattering, by extending with inclusion of in-medium modified nucleon magnetic moments in nuclei by the QMC model. \textbf{Results} (1) After calibrating the model without the quark effects for experimental data (TAPS Collaboration data for $p + \isotope[197]{Au}$), we calculate the cross sections and observe the slight difference between the spectra for models with and without quark effects. Such result is found for the first time, confirming possibilities of observing the quark effects in the spectra of bremsstrahlung. (2) As found, quark effects are not enough to be observed in middle and heavy nuclei, as they have dominant incoherent contributions. (3) \isotope[18]{C} has minimal incoherent contribution concerning other carbon isotopes, where the quark effects should be minimal. In ratios between the spectra for \isotope[18]{C} and \isotope[12]{C} with and without the quark effects the difference is clearly observed. \textbf{Conclusions} We establish the new physical observable for the quark effects in nuclei in the bremsstrahlung accompanied in the nuclear reactions, which can be measured. The present suggestion is for the first time in both theoretically and experimentally to study the quark effects in nuclei via the bremsstrahlung.