Determining the density dependence of the nuclear symmetry energy using heavy-ion reactions

Abstract

We review recent progress in the determination of the subsaturation density behavior of the nuclear symmetry energy from heavy-ion collisions as well as the theoretical progress in probing the high density behavior of the symmetry energy in heavy-ion reactions induced by high energy radioactive beams. We further discuss the implications of these results for the nuclear effective interactions and the neutron skin thickness of heavy nuclei.

12 pages, 5 figures. Talk given at the International workshop on nuclear dynamics in heavy-ion reactions and neutron stars, July, 10-14, Beijing, China