Combining Halo-EFT Descriptions of Nuclei and Precise Models of Nuclear Reactions

Abstract The clear separation of scales observed in halo nuclei between the extended halo and the compact core makes these exotic nuclei a perfect subject for effective field theory (EFT). Such description leads to a systematic expansion of the core-halo Hamiltonian, which naturally orders the nuclear-structure observables. In this short review, I show the advantages there are to include Halo-EFT descriptions within precise models of reactions. It helps identifying the nuclear-structure observables that matter in the description of the reactions, and enables us to easily bridge predictions of nuclear-structure calculations to reaction observables. I illustrate this on breakup, transfer and knockout reactions with $$^{11}$$ 11 Be, the archetypical one-neutron halo nucleus.