Neutron Skins: Weak Elastic Scattering and Neutron Stars

Abstract

The recently completed PREX-2 campaign - which measured the weak form factor of lead at an optimal momentum transfer - has confirmed that the neutron skin of lead is relatively large and has provided a precise determination of the interior baryon density of a heavy nucleus. In turn, the measured form factor can be related to various nuclear and neutron-star properties. Astrophysical observations by the NICER mission have benefited from improvements in flux, energy resolution, and notably, timing resolution. NICER has the capability to measure pulse profile data, which enables simultaneous mass-radius determinations. During the next decade, measurements in astrophysics, gravitational wave astronomy, and nuclear physics are expected to provide a wealth of more precise data. In this review we provide an overview of the current state of neutron skin measurements and offer insights into the prospects for the future.

submitted to Annual Reviews of Nuclear and Particle Science

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