Inferences of nuclear symmetry energy parameters from recent parity-violating neutron skin measurements of the neutron-rich nuclei Ca-48 and Pb-208 appear to be in tension with each other and values obtained from fitting either nuclear masses or neutron matter theory. By themselves, PREX I+II measurements of Pb-208 and CREX measurements of Ca-48 suggest L≃110±36 MeV and L≃23±27 MeV, respectively, to 68% confidence. However, jointly satisfying both at 90% confidence implies L≃51±11MeV, nearly exactly the range suggested by nuclear mass fitting or neutron matter theory. This small inferred parameter range is also consistent with nuclear dipole polarizability measurements and X-ray and gravitational wave observations of neutron stars.
The speaker for this event will lead the meeting in-person. All interested graduate students and faculty are invited to attend by convening in the INT Seminar Room (C-421).
Participants are also welcome to join via Zoom. Zoom link will be available via announcement email, or by contacting: gsj6[at]uw.edu or prau[at]uw.edu