Reconstructed 4He charge structure: Insights from Patterson function analysis

Through Patterson function analysis combined with scaling, the charge distribution of ⁴He has been reconstructed in a model‑independent manner. The resulting density is strictly positive, dominated by a sharp central peak of 509.1 fm⁻³ and a compact half‑maximum radius of 0.174 fm. These values are far below conventional charge radius estimates, pointing to an unusually concentrated distribution. At the same time, the profile retains a diffuse tail, reflecting the extended nature of nuclear charge. The reconstruction yields a net charge of 14.7, well above the physical value of 2, illustrating both the strengths and limitations of the empirical approach. Taken together, the results highlight Patterson analysis as a complementary tool for imaging nucleons and light nuclei, while situating ⁴He within a broader comparative framework.