Constraining the symmetry energy from the neutron skin thickness of Tin isotopes

Abstract

We show in the Skyrme-Hartree-Fock approach that unambiguous correlations exist between observables of finite nuclei and nuclear matter properties. Using this correlation analysis to existing data on the neutron skin thickness of Sn isotopes, we find important constraints on the value E_{sym}(rho_0) and density slope L of the nuclear symmetry energy at saturation density. Combining these constraints with those from recent analyses of isospin diffusion and double neutron/proton ratio in heavy ion collisions leads to a value of L=58\pm 18 MeV approximately independent of E_{sym}(ρ_0).

6 pages, 2 figures. Contribution to Nuclear Structure in China 2010 - Proceedings of the 13th National Conference on Nuclear Structure in China