Structure of theHe4Nucleus from Elastic Electron Scattering

Abstract

We have measured the cross section for elastic electron scattering from ${\mathrm{He}}^{4}$ at values of ${q}^{2}$, the four-momentum transfer squared, ranging from 0.5 to 20.0 ${\mathrm{F}}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$. Previous Stanford measurements extended up to ${q}^{2}=6.2$ ${\mathrm{F}}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$ and were consistent with a Gaussian shape for the charge distribution of the ${\mathrm{He}}^{4}$ nucleus. Our results confirm the earlier data but show a deviation from the Gaussian model for ${q}^{2}>6$ ${\mathrm{F}}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$. At ${q}^{2}=10$ we observe a diffraction minimum of the scattering cross section. Among the models which have been found to fit the new data is the Fermi three-parameter charge distribution. The rms radius ${〈{r}^{2}〉}^{\frac{1}{2}}$, the half-density radius ${r}_{\frac{1}{2}}$, and the 90% to 10% skin thickness $t$ of the charge distribution have been calculated for the models which adequately fit the data. The results indicate that the surface of the ${\mathrm{He}}^{4}$ charge distribution is less diffuse than implied by the nuclear harmonic-oscillator model.