A consistent set of nuclear rms charge radii:: properties of the radius surface R (N, Z)

A set of 799 g-round state nuclear charge radii is presented. Experimental data from elastic electron scattering, muonic atom X-rays, K. isotope shifts, and optical isotope shifts have been taken into account that were available up to January 2004. Wherever possible, connections and constraints between the data were applied to make the data system consistent. Based on the resulting data set. the smooth global structure of the radius surface R(N,Z) was investigated by fitting simple empirical functions to the intersections with constant Z and N as well as with constant A plains. The simple behavior of the surface rendered it possible to apply a simple model. the two-liquid drop model to reproduce the main tendencies, and to predict the existence of a indentation along the line of stability on the radius surface. This indentation suggests a decrease of average nucleon density away from stability. The fine structure in the mass number dependence of rms charge radii is briefly presented. (C) 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.