Quantum information in nucleon-nucleon scattering

Nucleon-nucleon scattering is a fundamental process in low-energy nuclear physics. Although its spin corre-lations have been studied intensively, few works take the perspective of quantum information science. In this work, I explore the quantum information aspects of spin correlations in the partially polarized neutron-proton scattering in the S wave. It is found that the spin mutual information, entanglement and discord of the out-states, when averaged over the possible in-states, all vary in a similar way with respect to the relative momentum. The novel connection between emergent symmetry and spin entanglement found by a previous study [Phys. Rev. Lett. 122, 102001 (2019)] could then be extended naturally to spin correlations beyond entanglement.

Automated summary

In this study, the quantum information aspects of spin correlations in partially polarized neutron-proton scattering in the S wave were explored. It was found that the spin mutual information, entanglement, and discord of the out-states vary in a similar way with respect to the relative momentum when averaged over the possible in-states. The novel connection between emergent symmetry and spin entanglement discovered in a previous study could be extended to spin correlations beyond entanglement.