Elastic scattering of B8+Zrnat at the sub-barrier energy of 26.5 MeV

The reaction dynamics for the proton halo nucleus ⁸B $+$ ⁿᵃᵗZr is explored through an elastic scattering measurement at the sub-Coulomb barrier energy of 26.5 MeV. The differential angular distribution has been measured and the total reaction cross section as well as the interaction distance are derived via an optical model analysis. The present result is combined with relevant values for ⁸B in comparison with ⁶He, ⁷Be, 6,7Li, and ¹⁶O on various targets through a consistent optical model analysis at sub- and near-barrier energies. The results demonstrate the proton halo nature of this exotic nucleus, which exhibits larger values for both the total reaction and interaction radii observables, than those determined for the proton-rich radioactive nucleus ⁷Be as well as for other stable weakly bound projectiles. Similar results are found for the neutron halo nucleus ⁶He. The present elastic scattering results are also described well with continuum-discretized coupled-channels calculations, exhibiting a weak coupling to continuum.