Self-consistent description of the halo nature of ³¹Ne with continuum and pairing correlations

Background: A relativistic structure model has previously been used to predict a halo structure for 31Ne (Zhang et al 2014 Phys. Lett. B 730 30), consistent with halo signatures from measured reaction cross sections of Ne isotopes bombarding Carbon targets. However, previous attempts to calculate those cross sections with reaction models were missing contributions from resonances and pairing correlations in their structure input. Purpose: Use a reaction model with our relativistic fully microscopic structure model input to predict these cross sections and momentum distributions and analyze for possible halo signatures. Methods: Structure input for exotic Ne isotopes were obtained via the analytical continuation of the coupling constant (ACCC) method based on the relativistic mean field (RMF) theory with Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer (BCS) pairing approximation, the RAB approach. Total reaction cross sections, one-neutron removal cross sections, and momentum distributions of breakup reaction products were calculated with a Glauber model using our relativistic structure input. Results: Our predictions of total reaction and one-neutron removal cross sections of 31Ne on a Carbon target were significantly enhanced compared with those of neighboring Neon isotopes, agreeing with measurements at 240 MeV/nucleon and consistent with a single neutron halo. Furthermore, our calculations of the inclusive longitudinal momentum distribution of the 30Ne and valence neutron residues from the 31Ne breakup reaction indicate a dilute density distribution in coordinate space, another halo signature. Conclusions: We give a full description of the halo nature of 31Ne that includes a self-consistent use of pairing and continuum contributions that makes predictions consistent with reaction cross section measurements. This approach can be utilized to determine the halo structure of other exotic nuclei.