Symmetries of the nucleon-nucleon $S$-matrix and effective field theory expansions

Abstract

The s-wave nucleon-nucleon (NN) scattering matrix ($S$-matrix) exhibits UV/IR symmetries which are hidden in the effective field theory (EFT) action and scattering amplitudes, and which explain some generic features of the phase shifts. These symmetries offer clarifying interpretations of existing pionless EFT expansions, and suggest starting points for novel expansions. The leading-order (LO) $S$-matrix obtained in the pionless EFT with scattering lengths treated exactly is shown to have a UV/IR symmetry which leaves the sum of s-wave phase shifts invariant. A new scheme, which treats effective range corrections exactly, and which possesses a distinct UV/IR symmetry at LO, is developed up to NLO (next-to-LO) and compared with data.