Short-range correlations in nuclei

TL;DR

This paper introduces short-range correlated nucleon pairs in nuclei, their origin from the tensor force, experimental detection methods, and the understanding gained over three decades.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of SRC pairs, their physical origin, experimental study techniques, and recent advances in understanding their role in nuclear structure.

Findings

SRC pairs constitute about 20% of nucleons in nuclei.

High momentum nucleons are predominantly from SRC pairs.

Experimental methods like electron and proton scattering reveal SRC characteristics.

Abstract

Atomic nuclei are held together by the strong nuclear force acting between protons and neutrons (nucleons). While the long range, averaged part of this force is well described by the nuclear shell model, the short-range and tensor components create a fascinating substructure: pairs of nucleons that momentarily approach each other very closely, acquiring large relative momenta. These short-range correlated (SRC) pairs account for roughly 20% of all nucleons in any nucleus and almost all of the high momentum nucleons. This chapter provides an introduction to SRC pairs: their origin in the nucleon-nucleon tensor force, the experimental methods used to study them, principally deep inelastic and quasielastic electron and proton scattering, and the comprehensive picture that has emerged over the past three decades.