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arXiv:2302.08716 · SciPost Physics

Universal geometry of two-neutron halos and Borromean Efimov states close to dissociation

Pascal Naidon

Published Sep 29, 2023• 6 citations

Abstract

The geometry of Borromean three-body halos, such as two-neutron halo nuclei or triatomic molecules close to dissociation, is investigated using a three-body model. This model enables to analytically derive the universal geometric properties found recently within an effective-field theory for halos made of a core and two resonantly-interacting particles [Phys. Rev. Lett., 128, 212501 (2022)]. It is shown that these properties not only apply to the ground three-body state, but also to all the excited (Efimov) states where the core-particle interaction is resonant. Furthermore, a universal geometry persists away from the resonant regime between the two particles, for any state close to the three-body threshold. This “halo universality”, which applies equally to all states, is different from the Efimov universality, which is only approximate for the ground state. It is explained by the separability of the hyper-radius and hyper-angles close to the three-body dissociation threshold.

DOI: 10.21468/scipostphys.15.3.123

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Abstract We investigate the geometric structure of two-neutron halo nuclei from the perspective of Efimov physics. Using the analytic three-body wave function obtained from the Faddeev equations in the unitary limit, we explore the connection between Efimov universality and the spatial configuration of these weakly bound systems. The internal geometry is quantified through probability densities, root-mean-square interparticle distances and characteristic opening angles, evaluated for different neutron–core mass ratios. Our results reveal a universal trend in the geometry of s -wave dominated halo nuclei, reflecting the universal correlations characteristic of the Efimov-like regime.

We investigate the geometric structure of two-neutron halo nuclei from the perspective of Efimov physics. Using the analytic three-body wave function obtained from the Faddeev equations in the unitary limit, we explore the connection between Efimov universality and the spatial configuration of these weakly bound systems. The internal geometry is quantified through probability densities, root-mean-square interparticle distances and characteristic opening angles, evaluated for different neutron-core mass ratios. Our results reveal a universal trend in the geometry of s-wave dominated halo nuclei, reflecting the universal correlations characteristic of the Efimov-like regime.

Systems, such as cold atoms and light halo nuclei, share universal features at low energies, for which details of inter-particle interactions are not essential.We study threebody physics in such systems in an effective-field-theory (EFT) framework.We will discuss universal behavior in three-body systems and higher-order effectiverange corrections beyond universality.We study effective-range effects perturbatively up to the next-to-next-to-leading order (N 2 LO) for the case of three identical bosons.We apply this analysis to recombination features in cold atomic gases and properties of Helium trimers.Effective range corrections also play an important role in the EFT study of fewnucleon systems and halo nuclei.The ground-state of Helium-6 can be treated as a two-neutron halo with an alpha core.This bound state is generated by the resonant neutron-neutron and neutron-alpha interactions.The latter is dominated by a shallow p-wave resonance.We present a calculation of Helium-6 in an EFT approach appropriate for halo systems.

The parametric region in the plane defined by the ratios of the energies of the subsystems and the three-body ground state, in which Efimov states can exist, is determined. We use a renormalizable model that guarantees the general validity of our results in the context of short-range interactions. The experimental data for one- and two-neutron separation energies, implies that among the halo nuclei candidates, only

{}^{20}\mathrm{C}

has a possible Efimov state, with an estimated energy less than 14 KeV below the scattering threshold.

Effective Field Theory (EFT) provides a powerful framework to exploit a separation of scales in order to perform systematically improvable, model-independent calculations. We apply this method to strongly interacting quantum systems with short-range interactions and large scattering length. Such systems display remarkable universal properties which include a geometric spectrum of shallow three-body called Efimov states and log-periodic dependence of scattering observables on the scattering length. We review the EFT for large scattering length and some of its applications in the physics of cold atoms and nuclear physics. In particular, we discuss the possibility of an infrared limit cycle in QCD and the extension of the EFT to halo nuclei.

A method to study weakly bound three-body quantum systems in two dimensions is formulated in coordinate space for short-range potentials. Occurrences of spatially extended structures (halos) are investigated. Borromean systems are shown to exist in two dimensions for a certain class of potentials. An extensive numerical investigation shows that a weakly bound two-body state gives rise to two weakly bound three-body states, a reminiscence of the Efimov effect in three dimensions. The properties of these two states in the weak binding limit turn out to be universal.