Abstract
A precise and model-independent determination of the neutron distribution radius and thus the neutron skin thickness of atomic nuclei is of fundamental importance in nuclear physics, particle physics, and astrophysics but remains a big challenge in terrestrial labs. We argue that the nearby core-collapse supernova (CCSN) in our Galaxy may render a neutrino flux with unprecedentedly high luminosity, offering the perfect opportunity to determine the and through the coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering (). We evaluate the potential of determining the of lead (Pb) via with the nearby CCSN neutrinos in the RES-NOVA project which is designed to hunt CCSN neutrinos using an array of archaeological Pb based cryogenic detectors. We find that an ultimate precision of for the ( for the ) of Pb can be achieved via RES-NOVA in the most optimistic case that the CCSN explosion were to occur at a distance of from the Earth.
- Received 13 October 2022
- Revised 5 December 2022
- Accepted 8 December 2022
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.106.123034
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