The root-mean-square radius of the deuteron

Re-examines the determination of the root-mean square radius of the deuteron (r d ) from the appropriate experimentally determined electric form factors, G Ed , G Ep , G Ed /G Ep and G En . With a particular extrapolation of results from realistic NN interactions and a specific assumption regarding the shape of G En for small q 2 consistent with a recent quark-model calculation the authors obtain r d =1.952+or-0.004 fm. Their model-independent analysis of the same data gives r d =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.