Deformation parameter for diffuse density

In extracting deformation parameters from multipole moments for deformed nuclei, one commonly uses the formulas which are based on a sharp-cut density distribution. We discuss a possible ambiguity for this procedure and clarify the role of diffuseness parameter of the density distribution. For this purpose, we use a deformed Woods-Saxon density as well as a density distribution obtained from the self-consistent relativistic mean-field (RMF) model. We show that the formula using a root-mean-square radius instead of a sharp-cut radius requires a large correction due to a finite surface diffuseness parameter even for stable nuclei. An implication to neutron-rich nuclei is also discussed.