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  • Open Access

Precision Hypernuclear Structure from Interaction Cross Sections

Carlos A. Bertulani*

  • *Contact author: carlos.bertulani@etamu.edu
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Phys. Rev. Lett. 137, 162502 – Published 15 October, 2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/vzp5-ttyh

Abstract

We establish interaction cross sections as a quantitative structural observable for hypernuclei. Using the hypertriton, HΛ3, as the most stringent benchmark, microscopic three-body wave functions are combined with a finite-range coupled-channel Glauber calculation and Bayesian inversion. For HΛ3+C12 at 1.5  GeV/nucleon, the interaction cross section decreases from about 1150 to 750 mb as the Λ separation energy BΛ increases from 0.1 to 0.5 MeV, while propagated reaction-model uncertainties remain near 5%. A measurement therefore supplies a direct inversion σI→rm→BΛ, constraining both the matter radius and the Λ separation energy. The framework provides the missing quantitative link between proposed interaction-cross-section measurements and the spatial structure of an already formed hypernucleus. Although demonstrated for the hypertriton, the methodology is readily extendable to other weakly bound hypernuclei.

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Phys. Rev. Lett. 137, 162502– Published 15 October, 2026
  • Received 1 June 2026
  • Revised 20 July 2026
  • Accepted 25 September 2026
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Published by the American Physical Society under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license. Further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the published article’s title, journal citation, and DOI.

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