Radial Distribution of Valence Neutrons from Elastic Electron Scattering

Abstract

Cross sections for elastic scattering of 175-300-MeV electrons by the nuclear magnetization current density of $^{87}\mathrm{Sr}$ have been measured. The results are used to determined the shape of the radial wave function of the valence neutron shell. The experiment yields a rms radius of $1{g}_{\frac{9}{2}}$ neutrons that is 0.31 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 0.04 fm smaller than predicted by density-dependent Hartree-Fock theory.