Nuclear charge radius of 12Be

The nuclear charge radius of (12)Be was precisely determined using the technique of collinear laser spectroscopy on the 2s(1/2)→2p(1/2,3/2) transition in the Be(+) ion. The mean square charge radius increases from (10)Be to (12)Be by δ(10,12)=0.69(5) fm(2) compared to δ(10,11)=0.49(5) fm(2) for the one-neutron halo isotope ^{11}Be. Calculations in the fermionic molecular dynamics approach show a strong sensitivity of the charge radius to the structure of ^{12}Be. The experimental charge radius is consistent with a breakdown of the N=8 shell closure.