"208Pb Radius Experiment -- PREX"


Robert Michaels , Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility, USA
[Host: Donal Day]
ABSTRACT:
The difference between the neutron radius Rn of a heavy nucleus and the proton radius Rp is believed to be several percent. This neutron skin has proven to be elusive to pin down experimentally in a rigorous fashion. The proposed Lead Radius Experiment PREX will measure the parity-violating electroweak asymmetry in the elastic scattering of polarized electrons from 208Pb at an energy of 850 MeV and a scattering angle of 6 degrees. Since the Z0 boson couples mainly to neutrons, this asymmetry provides a clean measurement of Rn with a projected experimental precision of ±1%. In addition to being a fundamental test of nuclear theory, a precise measurement of Rn pins down the density dependence of the symmetry energy of neutron rich nuclear matter which has impacts on neutron star structure and atomic parity violation experiments.
High Energy Physics Seminar
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
3:30 PM
Physics Building, Room 204
Note special room.

Joint Nuclear/High Energy Seminar


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