• Featured in Physics
  • Editors' Suggestion

Measurement of the Neutron Radius of Pb208 through Parity Violation in Electron Scattering

S. Abrahamyan et al. (PREX Collaboration)
Phys. Rev. Lett. 108, 112502 – Published 15 March 2012
Physics logo See Synopsis: Getting Under the Neutron Skin
PDFHTMLExport Citation

Abstract

We report the first measurement of the parity-violating asymmetry APV in the elastic scattering of polarized electrons from Pb208. APV is sensitive to the radius of the neutron distribution (Rn). The result APV=0.656±0.060(stat)±0.014(syst)ppm corresponds to a difference between the radii of the neutron and proton distributions RnRp=0.330.18+0.16fm and provides the first electroweak observation of the neutron skin which is expected in a heavy, neutron-rich nucleus.

  • Figure
  • Received 12 January 2012

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.108.112502

© 2012 American Physical Society

Synopsis

Key Image

Getting Under the Neutron Skin

Published 15 March 2012

Electron scattering techniques could provide more accurate measures of the distribution of neutrons in heavy nuclei.

See more in Physics

Authors & Affiliations

Click to Expand

Article Text (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

Supplemental Material (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 108, Iss. 11 — 16 March 2012

Reuse & Permissions
Access Options
CHORUS

Article Available via CHORUS

Download Accepted Manuscript
Author publication services for translation and copyediting assistance advertisement

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review Letters

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×