Coexistence of BCS and BEC-like pair structures in halo nuclei

Abstract

We investigate the spatial structure of the two-neutron wave function in the Borromean nucleus $^{11}$Li, using a three-body model of $^9$Li $+n+n$, which includes many-body correlations stemming from the Pauli principle. The behavior of the neutron pair at different densities is simulated by calculating the two-neutron wave function at several distances between the core nucleus $^9$Li and the center of mass of the two neutrons. With this representation, a strong concentration of the neutron pair on the nuclear surface is for the first time quantitatively established for neutron-rich nuclei. That is, the neutron pair wave function in $^{11}$Li has an oscillatory behavior at normal density, while it becomes a well localized single peak in the dilute density region around the nuclear surface. We point out that these features qualitatively correspond to the BCS and BEC-like structures of the pair wave function found in infinite nuclear matter.

4 pages, 3 eps figures. The version to appear in PRL