Two unitary limits in low-energy $s$-wave neutron scattering on superfluid nuclei

Abstract

Low-energy $s$-wave scattering in weakly bound superfluid nuclei is strongly influenced by pairing correlations. In this work, we present an analytical study of low-energy $s$-wave quasiparticle scattering within the coordinate space Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov framework using a schematic square-well model. Analytical expressions for the phase shift, elastic cross section, scattering length, and effective range are derived in a unified manner. We demonstrate that pairing correlations give rise to two distinct unitary limits, characterized by the divergence of the scattering length. One corresponds to the particle-like unitary limit, which persists even without pairing and is well described by the effective range expansion. The other is a pairing-induced hole-like unitary limit associated with quasiparticle resonances, leading to a breakdown of the effective range expansion. These results clarify the validity of the effective range expansion and highlight the essential role of resonance poles in describing low-energy $s$-wave quasiparticle scattering in superfluid nuclei.