Analysis of nucleon-nucleus scattering data using a density-dependent semi-microscopic optical model with channel coupling

Abstract

Background: The neutron scattering data was previously analyzed using a semi-microscopic optical model with channel coupling to inelastic excited states [Phys. Rev. C 100, 014603 (2019)]. The real part of the potential was constructed by single folding the density-independent M3Y-Paris bare nucleon-nucleon ($NN$) interaction, with zero-range knock-on exchange term, over the density of the target nucleus. The model reproduced the overall features of the inelastic angular distributions and polarization data. The elastic angular distributions were well reproduced.Purpose: In this work we test the effectiveness of the semi-microscopic optical model with channel coupling, but we employ a density-dependent BDM3Y1-Paris bare ($NN$) interaction, with the finite-range form of the knock-on exchange term, in describing the scattering observables, particularly, the inelastic distributions and polarization data.Method: The real volume term of the semi-microscopic model is constructed by single folding the density-dependent BDM3Y1-Paris bare ($NN$) interaction, over the matter distribution of the target nucleus. The ground state is coupled to low-lying inelastic excitation levels. The potential parameters are determined by fitting the elastic, inelastic, and polarization data corresponding to nucleon scattering off a wide range of mass numbers in the range $7\ensuremath{\le}A\ensuremath{\le}208$ for various energies from 10--95 MeV.Results: The density-dependent model resulted in significant improvements in the description of the inelastic angular distributions and analyzing power. In addition, the potential depths showed systematic linear dependence on incident energy, and one set of geometrical parameters is obtained for each nuclear target. We used our best-fit potential parameters to calculate the total cross sections corresponding to nucleon scattering off the considered nuclei. The calculated cross sections are in good agreement with the measured data.Conclusions: In a semi-microscopic optical model, construction of the real volume term by single folding the density-dependent BDM3Y1-Paris bare ($NN$) interaction, with finite form of the knock-on exchange term, results in significant improvements in reproducing the inelastic angular distributions and polarization data as compared to the case of using the density-independent M3Y-Paris bare nucleon-nucleon ($NN$) interaction, with either zero-range or finite-range exchange term.