Since He et al. [J. J. He et al., Phys. Lett. B 725, 287 (2013)] postulated the existence of a new, low-lying, broad resonance in the ${}^6\mathrm{Li}(p,\gamma ){}^7\mathrm{Be}$ reaction, there have been several studies that have looked to further investigate this assertion. However, none of these approaches has utilized the stringent constraint imposed by the unitarity of the scattering matrix. That is, the corresponding compound nucleus state must produce a corresponding resonance in ${}^3\mathrm{He}(\alpha ,\alpha ){}^3\mathrm{He}$ and ${}^6\mathrm{Li}(p,p){}^7\mathrm{Li}$ scattering and the ${}^6\mathrm{Li}(p,\alpha ){}^3\mathrm{He}$ reaction. Since precision data are readily available in the literature, the level of consistency can be tested using a phenomenological $R$-matrix analysis. In addition, remaining discrepancies with the description of the ${}^6\mathrm{Li}(p,\gamma ){}^7\mathrm{Be}$ reaction are discussed.

• Received 1 February 2024
• Accepted 13 June 2024

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.110.015802