Effective Field Theory and One-proton Halo Nuclei

Abstract: In this thesis we present formalism for treating one-proton halo nuclei in effective field theory. Halo nuclei are loosely bound systems consisting of a core plus valence nucleon(s). In so called Halo, or Cluster, effective field theory, the core of the halo nucleus is treated as a structureless, effective degree-of-freedom. As such, Cluster effective field theory is a low-energy model, appropriate for typical momentum scales of halo physics. The advantages of using effective field theory are the systematic way of improving results, by including higher orders, and the rigorous error estimates at each order. The observables that we consider are the charge form factor and the radiative capture cross section. A leading-order correlation between these observables is also derived. The framework is presented to next-to-leading order for S-wave interactions and to leading order for P-wave interactions. The formalism is exemplified by applying it to study the one-proton halo states 17F' and 8B. Results are presented for the charge radii of these systems and the S-factors of the radiative capture reactions 16O(p,γ)17F' and 7Be(p,γ)8B. The S-factor results compare well with data and previous calculations.