Nuclear Physics Autumn 2011

Exercise set 5
1. Suppose that the vertex function for a vector meson (e.g. ρ) is of the form
f /mρ ρ·σ i ×∇i ξ(r−ri ) instead of f /mπ σ i ·∇i ξ(r−ri ). Show that then ρ exchange
can act as a short-range cut-off of the pion tensor force (i.e. is of opposite sign).
What happens to the spin-spin force? (Note: each component of a vector meson
must be created and absorbed separately, which yields Kronecker δ’s. Remember
some vector product relations of Mapu and ED. Don’t pay attention to the effects
of the derivatives but consider those done as for pion.)

2. The ∆(1232) particle is a πN resonance at the total CM energy (including mass-

es) 1232 MeV. It has four charge states ∆++ , ∆+ , ∆0 , ∆− , so its isospin is 3/2.
Suppose that a ∆+ has been produced somehow. What are its possible decay chan-
nels in strong interactions? What are the branching ratios (probabilities) into these
channels?
The spin of the ∆ is also 3/2 and its internal parity is positive. In which pion par-
tial wave does it appear? I.e. what must the angular momentum lπ of the pion be
relative to the nucleon?
Let us consider π + scattering off a spin-up proton. Supposing that this scattering
takes place only through ∆++ (after all the total isospin must be 3/2 in this case)
try to figure out its angular dependence. Use as a starting point the plane wave
expansions in partial waves and assume that the incident beam is in the z direc-
tion (colliding with spin up or down nucleons. It is not necessary to devise actual
realistic potentials, but you may denote some potential in the Born approximation
integral to indicate convergence, if you use that approach. However, it is sufficient
and simplest just to extract the relevant partial waves, take scattering in those
and then determine the angular dependence. Note that the spin wave functions are
orthogonal for different spins and think simply.
Hint: Isospin, total angular momentum and parity are all conserved in strong in-
teractions.

3. Show explicitly that the isospin operators τ10 − τ20 and (τ1 × τ2 )0 necessarily change
the isospin of the two-nucleon system consisting of nucleons 1 and 2. Here 0 stands
for the ”z-component”. (Why do we choose this?) Are these nonzero for any pairs
of nucleons (i.e. nn, pp and np)?

4. Repetitio est mater studiorum. Refresh your memory about reaction kinematics.
Are the following reactions endoergic or exoergic

a) 1
H + 4 He → 2 H + 3 He, b) n + 6 Li → 3 H + 4 He ?

What is the threshold energy (or energy released) in the CMS and in the laboratory
(assuming the heavier particle to be the target)? The latter reaction could be used
to produce tritium needed in fusion reactors.