C15 : From halo effective field theory structure to the study of transfer, breakup, and radiative-capture reactions

Abstract

Aside from being a one-neutron halo nucleus, $^{15}$C is interesting because it is involved in reactions of relevance for several nucleosynthesis scenarios. The aim of this work is to analyze various reactions involving $^{15}$C, using a single structure model based on Halo EFT. To develop a Halo-EFT model of $^{15}$C at NLO, we first extract the ANC of its ground state by analyzing $^{14}$C(d,p)$^{15}$C transfer data at low energy. Using this Halo-EFT description, we study the $^{15}$C Coulomb breakup at high (605AMeV) and intermediate (68AMeV) energies using eikonal models with a consistent treatment of nuclear and Coulomb interactions at all orders, and proper relativistic corrections. Finally, we study the $^{14}$C(n,$\gamma$)$^{15}$C radiative capture. Our theoretical cross sections are in good agreement with experimental data for all reactions, thereby assessing the robustness of the $^{15}$C Halo-EFT model. Since a simple NLO description is enough to reproduce all data, the only nuclear-structure observables that matter are the binding energy and its ANC, showing that all the reactions considered are purely peripheral. In particular, it confirms the ANC value obtained for the $^{15}$C ground state: 1.59$\pm$0.06fm$^{-1}$. Our model provides also a new estimate of the radiative-capture cross section at astrophysical energy (23.3keV): 4.66$\pm$0.14$\mu$b. Including a Halo-EFT description of $^{15}$C within precise models of reactions is confirmed to be an excellent way to relate the nucleus reaction cross sections and structure. Its systematic expansion enables us to deduce which nuclear-structure observables are actually probed in the collision. From this, we can infer valuable information on both the structure of $^{15}$C and its synthesis through the $^{14}$C(n,$\gamma$)$^{15}$C radiative capture at astrophysical energies.