Probing nuclear skins and halos with elastic electron scattering

I investigate the elastic electron scattering off nuclei far from the stability line. The effects of the neutron and proton skins and halos on the differential cross sections are explored. Examples are given for the charge distribution in Sn isotopes and its relation to the neutron skin. The neutron halo in $^{11}$Li and the proton halo in $^{8}$B are also investigated. Particular interest is paid to the inverse scattering problem and its dependence on the experimental precision. These studies are of particular interest for the upcoming electron ion colliders at the GSI and RIKEN facilities.Comment: 27 pages, 9 figures, accepted for publication in J. Phys.