Constraints on the symmetry energy and neutron skins from experiments and theory

The symmetry energy contribution to the nuclear equation of state impacts various phenomena in nuclear astrophysics, nuclear structure, and nuclear reactions. Its determination is a key objective of contemporary nuclear physics, with consequences for the understanding of dense matter within neutron stars. We examine the results of laboratory experiments that have provided initial constraints on the nuclear symmetry energy and on its density dependence at and somewhat below normal nuclear matter density. Even though some of these constraints have been derived from properties of nuclei while others have been derived from the nuclear response to electroweak and hadronic probes, within experimental…

• NS
  National Science Foundation
• UD
  U.S. Department of Energy
• WF
  Welch Foundation
• MD
  Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación
• JS
  Japan Society for the Promotion of Science
• FP
  Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
• LD
  Laboratory Directed Research and Development
• LA
  Los Alamos National Laboratory