Nuclear Symmetry Energy in Finite Nuclei

Abstract

This chapter provides focuses on the investigation of the relation between the neutron skin thickness and some nuclear matter properties in finite nuclei, such as the symmetry energy at the saturation point, symmetry pressure (proportional to the slope of the bulk symmetry energy), and asymmetric compressibility, considering nuclei in given isotopic chains and within a certain theoretical approach. In addition to various linear relations between several quantities in bulk matter and for a given nucleus that have been observed and tested within different theoretical methods (e.g., nonrelativistic calculations with different Skyrme parameter sets and relativistic models), the chapter establishes a possible correlation between the skin thickness and these quantities and to clarify to what extent this correlation is appropriate for a given isotopic chain. The evolution of the symmetry energy as the number of neutrons is increased is also studied.