Pion: space-like structure

The scalar form factor describes modifications induced by the pion over the quark condensate. Assuming that representations produced by chiral perturbation theory can be pushed to high values of negative-t, a region in configuration space is reached (r < R similar to 0.5 fm) where the form factor changes sign, indicating that the condensate has turned into empty space. A simple model for the pion incorporates this feature into density functions. When supplemented by scalar-meson excitations, it yields predictions close to empirical values for the mean square radius (< r(2)>(pi)(S) = 0.59 fm(2)) and for one of the low energy constants ((l) over bar (4) = 4.3), with no adjusted parameters.

Probing the (6,7)Li nucleon densities through a new break-up process approach

In this work we present a double folding optical model analysis of new near-barrier quasi-elastic experimental data for the (6,7)Li + (120)Sn systems. From the analysis, it was possible to confirm the ground-state nucleon densities assumed for the weakly bound (6,7)Li isotopes. The apparent discrepancies between the experimental densities and those based on Dirac-Hartree-Fock Bogoliubov (DHB) calculations were removed. A new approach that simulates the projectile break-up and a positive polarization from couplings of (6,7)Li bound states with the continuum was considered in the reaction mechanism. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Influence of the halo upon angular distributions for elastic scattering and breakup

The angular distributions for elastic scattering and breakup of halo nuclei are analysed using a near-side/far-side decomposition within the framework of the dynamical eikonal approximation. This analysis is performed for (11)Be impinging on Pb at 69 MeV/nucleon. These distributions exhibit very similar features. In particular they are both near-side dominated, as expected from Coulomb-dominated reactions. The general shape of these distributions is sensitive mostly to the projectile-target interactions, but is also affected by the extension of the halo. This suggests the elastic scattering not to be affected by a loss of flux towards the breakup channel. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

An imaginary potential with universal normalization for dissipative processes in heavy-ion reactions

In this work we present new coupled channel calculations with the Sao Paulo potential (SPP) as the bare interaction, and an imaginary potential with system and energy independent normalization that has been developed to take into account dissipative processes in heavy-ion reactions. This imaginary potential is based on high-energy nucleon interaction in nuclear medium. Our theoretical predictions for energies up to approximate to 100 MeV/nucleon agree very well with the experimental data for the p, n + nucleus, (16)O + (27)Al, (16)O + (60)Ni, (58)Ni + (124)Sn, and weakly bound projectile (7)Li + (120)Sn systems. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

NUCLEAR INTERACTIONS: THE CHIRAL PICTURE

Chiral expansions of the two-pion exchange components of both two- and three-nucleon forces are reviewed and a discussion is made of the predicted pattern of hierarchies. The strength of the scalar-isoscalar central potential is found to be too large and to defy expectations from the symmetry. The causes of this effect can be understood by studying the nucleon scalar form factor.

Universal trend for heavy-ion total reaction cross-sections at energies above the Coulomb barrier

Heavy-ion total reaction cross-section measurements for more than 1100 reaction cases covering 61 target nuclei in the range (6)Li-(238)U and 158 projectile nuclei from (2)H to (84)Kr (mostly exotic ones) have been analyzed in a systematic way by using an empirical, three-parameter formula that is applicable to the cases of projectile kinetic energies above the Coulomb barrier. The analysis has shown that the average total nuclear binding energy per nucleon of the interacting nuclei and their radii are the chief quantities that describe the cross-section patterns. A great amount of cross-section data (87%) has been quite satisfactorily reproduced by the proposed formula; therefore, the total reaction cross-section predictions for new, not yet experimentally investigated reaction cases can be obtained within 25% (or much less) uncertainty.