A new probe of neutron skin thickness

Authors：Sun Xiao Yan^*; Fang De Qing; Ma Yu Gang; Cai Xiang Zhou; Chen Jin Gen; Guo Wei; Tian Wen Dong; Wang Hong Wei; Zhang Guo Qiang; Zhou Pei

Source：Chinese Physics C, 2011, 35(6): 555-560.

DOI：10.1088/1674-1137/35/6/009

• IQMD
• neutron-to-proton yield ratio
• neutron skin thickness

The correlation between neutron-to-proton yield ratio (R-np) and neutron skin thickness (delta(np)) in neutron-rich projectile induced reactions is investigated within the framework of the Isospin-Dependent Quantum Molecular Dynamics (IQMD) model. The density distribution of the Droplet model is embedded in the initialization of the neutron and proton densities in the present IQMD model. By adjusting the diffuseness parameter of neutron density in the Droplet model for the projectile, the relationship between the neutron skin thickness and the corresponding R-np is obtained. The results show strong linear correlation between R-np and delta(np) for neutron-rich Ca and Ni isotopes. It is suggested that R-np may be used as an experimental observable to extract delta(np) for neutron-rich nuclei, which is very interesting in the study of the nuclear structure of exotic nuclei, the equation of state (EOS) of asymmetric nuclear matter and neutron-rich matter in astrophysics, etc.

• Institution
  中国科学院; 中国科学院上海应用物理研究所