The root-mean-square radius of the deuteron

Abstract
Re-examines the determination of the root-mean square radius of the deuteron (rd) from the appropriate experimentally determined electric form factors, GEd, GEp, GEd/GEp and GEn. With a particular extrapolation of results from realistic NN interactions and a specific assumption regarding the shape of GEn for small q2 consistent with a recent quark-model calculation the authors obtain rd=1.952+or-0.004 fm. Their model-independent analysis of the same data gives rd=1.948+or-0.023 fm. Either mean value is less than the currently accepted value. The model-dependent approach and related assumptions are described in detail.