The recently completed PREX-2 campaign measured the density distribution of neutrons in the lead nucleus as a function of momentum transfer (the form factor), confirmed a relatively large extent of the neutrons beyond the protons in the nucleus (the neutron skin), and provided a precise determination of the density of protons and neutrons at the center of a heavy nucleus. In turn, the measured form factor can be related to various nuclear and neutron star properties. The NICER X-ray telescope has inferred the masses and radii of some X-ray pulsars (neutron stars), although complications arise when determining these quantities independently. Further improvements in NICER have enabled simultaneous mass–radius determinations that had not previously been possible. During the next decade, measurements in astrophysics, gravitational-wave astronomy, and nuclear physics are expected to provide a wealth of more precise data. In this review, we present an overview of the current state of neutron skin measurements and offer insights into prospects for the future.

中文翻译：

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中子皮肤：弱弹性散射和中子星


最近完成的 PREX-2 活动测量了铅核中中子的密度分布作为动量转移（形式因子）的函数，证实了相对较大的中子范围超出了原子核（中子皮）中的质子，并提供了对重核中心的质子和中子密度的精确测定。反过来，测得的形状因子可能与各种核星和中子星特性有关。NICER X 射线望远镜已经推断出一些 X 射线脉冲星（中子星）的质量和半径，尽管在独立确定这些量时会出现复杂性。NICER 的进一步改进使以前无法实现的同步质量-半径测定成为可能。在接下来的十年中，天体物理学、引力波天文学和核物理学的测量有望提供大量更精确的数据。在这篇综述中，我们概述了中子皮肤测量的现状，并提供了对未来前景的见解。