The asymptotic S-state amplitude and the root mean square radius of the deuteron

The values of the root mean square radius of the deuteron (rsub(D)) given by Berard et al, Allen et al and Simon et al are compared. Model calculations suggest that the elastic electron-deuteron scattering data of Akimov et al are not in the most suitable region to extract a useful value for rsub(D). The method proposed by Wilson is used to extract rsub(D), for the value of the asymptotic S-state amplitude (Asub(s)) given by Kermode et al, from the data of Berard et al. If the quadrupole form factor, Csub(Q)(q2), and the meson-exchange correction given by Lomon, are ignored, it is found that rsub(D) = 1.958 +- 0.005 fm, while including these terms gives rsub(D) = 1.956 +- 0.005 fm. (author)