[Prex] Neutron skins of atomic nuclei: per aspera ad astra

[Jay Benesch]

seems relevant on quick scan e.g. section 4.1 PVES

https://arxiv.org/abs/1904.12269

Neutron skins of atomic nuclei: per aspera ad astra
M. Thiel, C. Sfienti, J. Piekarewicz, C.J. Horowitz, M. Vanderhaeghen
(Submitted on 28 Apr 2019)

     The complex nature of the nuclear forces generates a broad range 
and diversity of observational phenomena. Heavy nuclei, though orders of 
magnitude less massive than neutron stars, are governed by the same 
underlying physics, which is enshrined in the nuclear equation of state. 
Heavy nuclei are expected to develop a neutron-rich skin where many 
neutrons collect near the surface. Such a skin thickness is strongly 
sensitive to the poorly-known density dependence of the symmetry energy 
near saturation density. An accurate and model-independent determination 
of the neutron-skin thickness of heavy nuclei would provide a 
significant first constraint on the density dependence of the nuclear 
symmetry energy. The determination of the neutron-skin thickness of 
heavy nuclei has far reaching consequences in many areas of physics as 
diverse as heavy-ion collisions, polarized electron and proton 
scattering off nuclei, precision tests of the standard model using 
atomic parity violation, and nuclear astrophysics. While a systematic 
and concerted experimental effort has been made to measure the 
neutron-skin thickness of heavy nuclei, a precise and model-independent 
determination remains elusive. How to move forward at a time when many 
new facilities are being commissioned and how to strengthen the synergy 
with other areas of physics are primary goals of this review.

Comments: 	Submitted for publication to Journal of Physics G