Proton-nucleus elastic scattering: Comparison between phenomenological and microscopic optical potentials

Background: Elastic scattering is a very important process to understand nuclear interactions in finite nuclei. Despite decades of efforts, the goal of reaching a coherent description of this physical process in terms of microscopic forces is still far from being completed. Purpose: In previous papers we derived a nonrelativistic theoretical optical potential from nucleon-nucleon chiral potentials at fourth (N3LO) and fifth order (N4LO). We checked convergence patterns and established theoretical error bands. With this work we study the performances of our optical potential in comparison with those of a successful nonrelativistic phenomenological optical potential in the description of elastic proton scattering data on several isotopic chains at energies around and above 200 MeV. Methods: We use the same framework and the same approximations as adopted in our previous papers, where the nonrelativistic optical potential is derived at the first-order term within the spectator expansion of the multiple scattering theory and adopting the impulse approximation and the optimum factorization approximation. Results: The cross sections and analyzing powers for elastic proton scattering off calcium, nickel, tin, and lead isotopes are presented for several incident proton energies, exploring the range 156≤E≤333 MeV, where experimental data are available. In addition, we provide theoretical predictions for 56Ni at 400 MeV, which is of interest for the future experiments at EXL. Conclusions: Our results indicate that microscopic optical potentials derived from nucleon-nucleon chiral potentials at N4LO can provide reliable predictions for the cross section and the analyzing power both of stable and exotic nuclei, even at energies where the reliability of the chiral expansion starts to be questionable. Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure 3 More Received 5 June 2018 DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.98.064602 ©2018 American Physical Society Physics Subject Headings (PhySH) Research Areas Nuclear forcesNuclear many-body theoryNuclear reactionsNuclear structure & decaysNucleon induced nuclear reactions Techniques Optical, coupled-channel & distorted wave models Nuclear Physics Authors & Affiliations Matteo Vorabbi1, Paolo Finelli2, and Carlotta Giusti3 1TRIUMF, 4004 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T 2A3 2Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia, Università degli Studi di Bologna and INFN, Sezione di Bologna, Via Irnerio 46, I-40126 Bologna, Italy 3Dipartimento di Fisica, Università degli Studi di Pavia and INFN, Sezione di Pavia, Via A. Bassi 6, I-27100 Pavia, Italy Article Text Click to Expand References Click to Expand Issue Vol. 98, Iss. 6 — December 2018 Reuse & Permissions Physical Review A•B•C•D - 50 Years To celebrate 50 years of enduring discoveries, APS is offering 50% off APCs for any manuscript submitted in 2020, published in selected journals. Learn More » Announcement Information on SCOAP3 and Physical Review journals January 3, 2018 High Energy Physics (HEP) papers published after January 1, 2018 in Physical Review Letters, Physical Review C, and Physical Review D are published open access, paid for centrally by SCOAP3. Library subscriptions will be modified accordingly. This arrangement will initially last for two years, up to the end of 2019. Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review C APS Current Issue Earlier Issues News & Announcements About this Journal Journal Staff About the Journals Join APS Authors General Information Submit a Manuscript Publication Rights Open Access SCOAP3 Policies & Practices Tips for Authors Professional Conduct Referees General Information Submit a Report Update Your Information Policies & Practices Referee FAQ Guidelines for Referees Outstanding Referees Librarians General Information Subscriptions Online License Agreement Usage Statistics Your Account Students Physics PhysicsCentral Student Membership APS Members Subscriptions Article Packs Membership FAQ APS News Meetings & Events Privacy Policies Contact Information Feedback ISSN 2469-9993 (online), 2469-9985 (print). ©2020 American Physical Society. All rights reserved. Physical Review C™ is a trademark of the American Physical Society, registered in the United States, Canada, European Union, and Japan. The APS Physics logo and Physics logo are trademarks of the American Physical Society. Information about registration may be found here. Use of the American Physical Society websites and journals implies that the user has read and agrees to our Terms and Conditions and any applicable Subscription Agreement.