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Information content of a new observable: The case of the nuclear neutron skin

P.-G. Reinhard and W. Nazarewicz
Phys. Rev. C 81, 051303(R) – Published 28 May 2010

Abstract

We address two questions pertaining to the uniqueness and usefulness of a new observable: (i) Considering the current theoretical knowledge, what novel information does new measurement bring in? (ii) How can new data reduce uncertainties of current theoretical models? We illustrate these points by studying the radius of the neutron distribution of a heavy nucleus, a quantity related to the equation of state for neutron matter that determines properties of nuclei and neutron stars. By systematically varying the parameters of two theoretical models and studying the resulting confidence ellipsoid, we quantify the relationships between the neutron skin and various properties of finite nuclei and infinite nuclear matter. Using the covariance analysis, we identify observables and pseudo-observables that correlate, and do not correlate, with the neutron skin. By adding the information on the neutron radius to the pool of observables determining the energy functional, we show how precise experimental determination of the neutron radius in Pb208 would reduce theoretical uncertainties on the neutron matter equation of state.

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  • Received 22 February 2010

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.81.051303

©2010 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

P.-G. Reinhard1 and W. Nazarewicz2,3,4,5

  • 1Institut für Theoretische Physik II, Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Staudtstrasse 7, D-91058 Erlangen, Germany
  • 2Department of Physics & Astronomy, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996, USA
  • 3Physics Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Post Office Box 2008, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, USA
  • 4Institute of Theoretical Physics, University of Warsaw, ul. Hoża 69, PL-00-681 Warsaw, Poland
  • 5School of Engineering and Science, University of the West of Scotland, Paisley PA1 2BE, United Kingdom

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Issue

Vol. 81, Iss. 5 — May 2010

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