Abstract
We propose to use intermediate energy antiprotons to investigate the sizes of stable and neutron-rich exotic nuclei by measurements of the p¯A absorption cross section along isotopic chains in inverse kinematics. The expected effects are studied theoretically in a microscopic model. The p¯A optical potentials are obtained by folding free space p¯N scattering amplitudes with HFB ground state densities and solving the scattering equations by direct integration. The mass dependence of absorption cross sections is found to follow closely the nuclear root-mean-square radii. The total absorption cross section is shown to be a superposition of cross sections describing partial absorption on neutrons and protons, respectively. Thus measuring the differential cross sections for absorption on neutrons and protons will give information on their respective distributions. We also find that in neutron-rich nuclei the outer neutron layer shields the absorption on the protons giving access to investigations of antiproton–neutron interactions in matter.
Highlights
To understand the evolution of nuclear sizes and shapes from the bottom to the edges of the valley of β− stability is one of the central questions of modern nuclear structure physics
The experiments have been performed with secondary antiproton beams on a variety of stable nuclei in fixed target geometry and standard kinematics, using stopped antiprotons
Details of the experimental setup and procedures for the measurement of antiproton absorption cross sections using Schottky noise frequency spectroscopy of the coasting reaction products in the New Experimental Storage Ring (NESR) are found in the NUSTAR letter of intent and proposal for FAIR [12, 16]
Summary
To understand the evolution of nuclear sizes and shapes from the bottom to the edges of the valley of β− stability is one of the central questions of modern nuclear structure physics. The experiments have been performed with secondary antiproton beams on a variety of stable nuclei in fixed target geometry and standard kinematics, using stopped antiprotons Another approach must be applied if antiprotons should be used for reactions on short-lived isotopes. We utilize the strong pA absorption for nuclear structure investigations without paying particular attention to the hadron physics aspects, some of which, can – and in another context will – be studied with the facility under discussion, e.g. with the PANDA detector, being part of the FAIR proposal. The new aspect of the present paper is to explore theoretically the perspectives of antiproton scattering on stable and rare nuclei and the use of such reactions for nuclear structure investigations.
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