5th International Symposium on Nuclear Symmetry Energy NuSYM15, June 29 - July 2, 2015 Kraków, POLAND

Michaela Thiel
Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, GERMANY

### Exploring neutron skins: current program and future perspectives at Mainz

Abstract
These days, neutron skin is one of the key words not only in nuclear physics but also in astrophysics. A variety of experimental techniques has been carried out over the last years to determine the neutron skin of heavy and medium nuclei. To overcome strong model dependencies a simultaneous combination of different methods is favoured. Combining high precision measurements using parity violating electron scattering with the opportunity to measure a multitude of nuclei given by coherent $\pi{^0}$ photoproduction allows a systematic determination across the periodic table thus benchmarking modern calculation. In a first step the systematic investigation of $^{58}$Ni, $^{208}$Pb and three tin isotopes ($^{116,120,124}$Sn) using the latter method has been realised at the Mainz Microtron (MAMI). For complement, two new measuring programs using parity violating electron scattering are scheduled: within the A1 collaboration at the existing accelerator facility as well as with the future accelerator MESA within the scope of the P2 collaboration. Status and prospects of the projects in Mainz will be discussed.