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DOE OSTI · 2368834

Predicting nucleon-nucleus scattering observables using nuclear structure theory

Thapa, Aaina·Escher, Jutta·Chimanski, Emanuel·Dupuis, Marc·Péru, Sophie·Younes, Walid
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Abstract

Developing a predictive capability for inelastic scattering will find applications in multiple areas. Experimental data for neutron-nucleus inelastic scattering is limited and thus one needs a robust theoretical framework to complement it. Charged-particle inelastic scattering can be used as a surrogate for ( n, γ ) reactions to predict capture cross sections for unstable nuclei. Our work uses microscopic nuclear structure calculations for spherical nuclei to obtain nucleon-nucleus scattering potentials and calculate cross sections for these processes. We implement the Jeukenne, Lejeune, Mahaux (JLM) semi-microscopic folding approach, where the medium effects on nuclear interaction are parameterized in nuclear matter to obtain the nucleon-nucleon ( NN ) interaction in a medium at positive energies. We solve for the nuclear ground state using the Hartree-Fock-Bogliubov (HFB) many-body method, assuming the nucleons within the nucleus interact via the Gogny-D1M potential. The vibrational excited states of the target nucleus are calculated using the quasi-particle random phase approximation (QRPA). We demonstrate our approach for spherical nuclei in the medium-mass region, showing scattering results for the 90 Zr nucleus.

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73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS

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Thapa, Aaina, Escher, Jutta, Chimanski, Emanuel, Dupuis, Marc, Péru, Sophie, Younes, Walid. 2024-03-14. Predicting nucleon-nucleus scattering observables using nuclear structure theory. https://doi.org/10.1051/epjconf%2F202429206003

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