The \(\eta ^\prime N\) interaction from the \(\eta ^\prime p\) correlation function

Abstract

We evaluate for the first time the \(\eta ^\prime p\) femtoscopic correlation function to study the \(\eta ^\prime N\) interaction. We find it extremely sensitive to the value of the \(\eta ^\prime p\) scattering length, for which at present there exists only very limited information, not even knowing its sign. The measurement of this correlation function would provide much valuable information on the \(\eta ^\prime N\) interaction, which could then also be used to settle the issue of possible \(\eta ^\prime \) nucleus bound states, an issue attracting much attention in the nuclear physics community.