Eur. Phys. J. A (2007) 32: 537-541
https://doi.org/10.1140/epja/i2006-10440-x

PAVI 2006

Parity violation, the neutron radius of lead, and neutron stars

Department of Physics, Florida State University, 32306, Tallahassee, FL, USA

^* e-mail: jorgep@csit.fsu.edu

Received: 31 August 2006
Accepted: 18 March 2007
Published online: 17 July 2007

Abstract

The neutron radius of a heavy nucleus is a fundamental nuclear-structure observable that remains elusive. Progress in this arena has been limited by the exclusive use of hadronic probes that are hindered by large and controversial uncertainties in the reaction mechanism. The parity radius experiment at the Jefferson Laboratory offers an attractive electro-weak alternative to the hadronic program and promises to measure the neutron radius of ²⁰⁸Pb accurately and model independently via parity-violating electron scattering. In this contribution we examine the far-reaching implications that such a determination will have in areas as diverse as nuclear structure, atomic parity violation, and astrophysics.