Effective Field Theory for Halo Nuclei

Abstract

Halo nuclei are weakly bound systems that have a tightly bound core and a small number of weakly-bound valence nucleons. Halo effective field theory is the appropriate framework to describe such systems since it can use this separation of scales between the one-nucleon separation energy of the halo nucleus and the core nucleus to form the expansion parameter in a systematic low-energy expansion. We summarize recent progress in the description of weakly bound systems with halo effective field theory and focus on applications to the one-proton halo nuclei Fluorine-17 and Boron-8.