Pygmies, giants, and skins as laboratory constraints on the equation of state of neutron-rich matter

TL;DR

This paper discusses how laboratory experiments on neutron skins and nuclear resonances can constrain the equation of state of neutron-rich matter, which is crucial for understanding neutron star properties.

Contribution

It highlights the role of laboratory measurements of neutron skins and nuclear resonances in constraining the neutron star equation of state.

Findings

Laboratory experiments can provide stringent constraints on the symmetry energy.

Neutron skin measurements relate to the density dependence of the symmetry energy.

Nuclear resonances offer insights into the structure of neutron stars.

Abstract

Laboratory experiments sensitive to the density dependence of the symmetry energy may place stringent constraints on the equation of state of neutron-rich matter and, thus, on the structure, dynamics, and composition of neutron stars. Understanding the equation of state of neutron-rich matter is a central goal of nuclear physics that cuts across a variety of disciplines. In this contribution I focus on how laboratory experiments on neutron skins and on both Pygmy and Giant resonances can help us elucidate the structure of neutron stars.