Neutron density distribution and neutron skin thickness of $^{208}$Pb

We present and discuss numerical predictions for the neutron density distribution of $^{208}$Pb using various non-relativistic and relativistic mean-field models for the nuclear structure. Our results are compared with the very recent pion photoproduction data from Mainz. The parity-violating asymmetry parameter for elastic electron scattering at the kinematics of the PREX experiment at JLab and the neutron skin thickness are compared with the available data. We consider also the dependence between the neutron skin and the parameters of the expansion of the symmetry energy.

Elastic and quasi-elastic electron scattering on the N = 14, 20, and 28 isotonic chains

We present theoretical predictions for electron scattering on the N = 14, 20, and 28 isotonic chains from proton-deficient to proton-rich nuclei. The calculations are performed within the framework of the distorted-wave Born approximation and the proton and neutron density distributions are evaluated adopting a Relativistic Hartree-Bogoliubov (RHB) approach with a density dependent meson-exchange interaction. We present results for the elastic and quasi-elastic cross sections and for the parity-violating asymmetry parameter. Owing to the correlations between the evolution of the electric charge form factors along each chain with the underlying proton shell structure of the isotones, elastic electron scattering experiments on isotones can provide useful informations about the occupation and filling of the single-particle levels of protons.