Neutron distribution of 208Pb in the relativistic impulse approximation of proton-elastic scattering

Using the proton-elastic scattering observables at E-p = 300 and 400 MeV, we try to analyze the neutron distribution of Pb-208 which is obtained from the relativistic mean field (RMF) theory. Calculations are based on the relativistic impulse approximation (RIA) and scaled RMF nuclear densities. We discuss how much is the difference between the root-mean-square radii of the proton and neutron, and whether the evidence of the neutron skin of Pb-208 can be obtained from the proton-elastic scattering data. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.