The dependence of neutron skin thickness and surface tension on neutron excess

• Published in: Nuclear physics. A Vol. 606; no. 1; pp. 173 - 182
• Main Authors: Pethick, C.J., Ravenhall, D.G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 26-08-1996
• ISSN: 0375-9474
• DOI: 10.1016/0375-9474(96)00216-3

We show that, as a consequence of the requirement that nucleons in the bulk and in the surface of a nucleus be treated in a thermodynamically consistent way, the neutron skin thickness in neutron rich nuclei is simply related to the dependence of the surface tension on neutron excess. This relationship thus provides constraints on physically acceptable microscopic interactions and mass formulae for neutron rich nuclei, whose properties are of interest in both laboratory and cosmic situations.