Abstract
We have measured the optical isotope shifts of146Sm and151Sm by laser resonance fluorescence. From these measurements the changes in the mean square nuclear radii are: Δ〈r2〉 (A=144 to 146)=0.266(10) fm2, and Δ〈r2〉 (A=151 to 152)=0.262(10) fm2. These results, together with those of the stable isotopes, show that the average nuclear expansion of samarium can be accounted for by the liquid drop model with deformations.