Probing high-momentum component in nucleon momentum distribution by neutron-proton bremsstrahlung γ-rays in heavy ion reactions

Abstract

The high momentum tail (HMT) of nucleons, as a signature of the short-range correlations in nuclei, has been investigated by the high-energy bremsstrahlung $\gamma$ rays produced in ${}^{86}$Kr + ${}^{124}$Sn at 25 MeV/u. The energetic photons are measured by a CsI(Tl) hodoscope mounted on the spectrometer CSHINE. The energy spectrum above 30 MeV can be reproduced by the IBUU model calculations incorporating the photon production channel from $np$ process in which the HMTs of nucleons is considered. A non-zero HMT ratio of about $15\%$ is favored by the data. The effect of the capture channel $np\to d\gamma$ is demonstrated.