Birmingham Nuclear Physics Group Rolling Grant Application

Lead Research Organisation: University of Birmingham
Department Name: School of Physics and Astronomy

Abstract

The nucleus, despite its popular perception, is a highly complex quantum body. It is often represented in text books as a static collection of spheres; a view driven by the atomic perspective where all that really matters is the mass of the nucleus and its charge. On the contrary, the nucleus is a highly dynamic system where nucleons move with velocities approaching a fraction of the speed of light; meaning that relativistic effects are non-negligible. Moreover, the location of the nucleon is not well defined, only the probability of finding a nucleus at a given point. Each nucleon is confined within its own probability field (orbital) and thus the interaction between nucleons is governed by their overlap. One might anticipate that despite this complexity the calculation of the interactions and thus the binding energy, mass, shape and moments (electric and magnetic) should still be a tractable problem. However, what prevents such a realisation is that the nature of the interaction between nucleons remains to be fully understood, in particular the nature of correlations which exist inside nuclei. Furthermore, the nuclear force is a manifestation of colour forces, which act to bind quarks inside nucleons. This transition from nucleonic to quark degrees of freedom remains to be understood. What is more, it is not completely clear how the properties of the nucleon is comprised from its constituent quarks and gluons. The understanding of the formation of the chemical elements requires an understanding of nuclei and nuclear processes. The cooking of elements in the life-cycle of stars, both in their main burn phase and their eventual death (novae or supernovae) is one of the eleven key questions posed by the US Academy of Science. One of the most important of these processes is the synthesis of 12C through the portal of the Hoyle state - a quantum state which enhances the capture rate of 4He by 8Be by 10^8. This state is so important, that if it did not exist, then neither would human kind. It is believed that this state must have a very unusual (cluster) structure, and to demonstrate this is of great importance. Before nuclei were sythesised, protons and neutrons must have been formed. This process would have occurred a fraction of a second after the Big Bang, before which matter would have consisted of a plasma of quarks and gluons, and other fundamental particles. One of the most exciting goals of modern physics is to explore this new state of matter, and moreover to study its transition to normal nuclear matter. This becomes possible with the world's largest and most powerful particle accelerators, giving us the chance to study the physics near the beginning of the universe. The Birmingham group is engaged in a research programme which is aimed at addressing many of these questions. The relativistic heavy-ion group, through their research programme at RHIC (STAR) and the LHC (ALICE) are colliding nuclei at very high energies in an attempt to create the quark gluon plasma, and then to measure its transition into normal nuclear matter using complex detector systems. The charged particle group is focussed on the study of the structure of light nuclei and understanding the correlations between nucleons which manifest themselves as clusters inside the nucleus. In particular the search for linear arrangements of clusters has been a dream for over 40 years. The group will also attempt to pin down the nature of the Hoyle state. The laser spectroscopy work measures fundamental properties of nuclei, such as their shape and moments crucial for developing a detailed understanding of what the nucleons are doing inside the nucleus. Many of these nuclei feature in the so-called r-process, which takes place in neutron fluxes in supernovae which are apparently 10^9 higher than in stars. This work provides an important link between nuclear science and cosmology and promises to lead to a deeper understanding of the origins of our universe.

Publications

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Description ALICE 
Organisation European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN)
Department ALICE Collaboration
Country Switzerland 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution Support (maintenance and operation) of the Central Trigger Processor. Data Analysis.
Collaborator Contribution Access to an accelerator facility - the Large Hadron Collider. Provision of office space and central computing facility and network access. Access to shared data.
Impact Outputs are primarily through publications, listed in the relevant section of the form, which are the outcomes of collaborative research.
 
Description CERN 
Organisation European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN)
Department ALICE Collaboration
Country Switzerland 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution Support (maintenance and operation) of experimental hardware trigger system; analysis of data.
Collaborator Contribution Access to experimental facility
Impact Research outputs in the form of publications in refereed journals and conference talks
 
Description Notre Dame 
Organisation University of Notre Dame
Department Department of Physics
Country United States 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Provision of equipment and scientific expertise
Collaborator Contribution Scientific opportunity
Impact Publication
Start Year 2010
 
Description iThemba 
Organisation iThemba LABs
Department Nuclear Physics
Country South Africa 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution Scientific Expertise and insight
Collaborator Contribution Publications
Impact Publications
Start Year 2009
 
Description ALICE outreach activities 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact Physics Teachers Conference The University of Birmingham September 2008
IoP Public Physics Lecture The University of Birmingham February 2009
School Talk to sixth form Concord College, Shrewsbury February 2009
Goldsmiths Physics Teachers Workshop Brunel University July 2009
School Talk - children of mixed ages King Edwards School, Edgbaston Birmingham October 2008
School Talk - children of mixed ages King Henry VIII School, Coventry October 2008
Science Fiction Convention Walsall November 2008
Particle Physics Master Class The University of Birmingham April 2009 & December 2009
Year 11 physics summer school The University of Birmingham July 2009
Superconductivity Master Class The University of Birmingham October 2009
University Christmas Lectures for year 7 pupils School of Education,
The University of Birmingham December 2009 (3 lectures in one day)
School LHC talk and
Opening of new science block. Alcester Grammar School January 2010
LHC talk to 6th formers from Hayes School The University of Birmingham 17th February 2010
LHC talk GCSE and 6th formers Bromsgrove School Bromsgrove School 22nd March 2010
Birmingham Science Festival - LHC talk The University of Birmingham 31st March 2010
Year 8 Easter Lectures on hot and Cold - 2 lectures given The University of Birmingham 23rd April 2010
University Community day - lecture on hot and cold to general public inc. children. The University of Birmingham 13th June 2010
LHC talk at DeFerrers College - A level plus GCSE plus parents De Ferrers Technology College, Burton upon Trent 21st June 2010
Physics open day talks on recreating the Big Bang - 6th formers and parents - 2 lectures The University of Birmingham 24th and 25th June 2010
AS Challenge Day - LHC talk to 6th formers The University of Birmingham 12th July 2010
AS Physics Summer School - Recreating the Big Bang with the LHC - AS students The University of Birmingham 14th July 2010
Teachers and Technicians conference - LHC Talk The University of Birmingham 16th July 2010
Goldsmiths teachers workshop - ALICE at the LHC lecture (A level physics teachers) Brunel University 22nd July 2010
Physics events for AS students - LHC lecture plus lab activities The University of Birmingham 24th August 2010
Physics open day talk on recreating the Big Bang - 6th formers and parents The University of Birmingham 11th September 2010
LHC talk for Droitwich Spa High School - GCSE and 6th formers Droitwich Spa High School 21st October 2010
University Christmas Lectures for year 7 pupils (5 lectures over 2 days to 1300 pupils) The Great Hall, University of Birmingham 8th and 9th December 2010
Physics Big Quiz - Hot and Cold talk for year 9 pupils The Great Hall, University of Birmingham 21st January 2011
IoP public Lecture on extremes of temperature - general publics and school children from junior to 6th formers The University of Birmingham 8th February 2011
LHC talk to Redditch and Bromsgrove AstroSoc - general public St Augustine's High School, Redditch 7th March 2011
Guardian live webcast - careers in physics Guardian web page 9th March 2011
Physics of hot and cold lecture to years 9 and 10 pupils The University of Birmingham 28th March 2011

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Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2008,2009,2010,2011
 
Description Article in the Times newspaper - quote taken from previous interview 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact Interview

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Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2008
 
Description Interview by the Guardian newspaper 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact Interview

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Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2008
 
Description Magazine Interviews 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Interviews with New Scientist and Physics World

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Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2009
 
Description Magazine Interviews 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Interviews with Physics World and National Geographic on ALICE at the LHC

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Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2009,2010
 
Description Magazines 2011 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Interview about ALICE and LHC
Filmed by Physics World
Article for E&T magazine; E&T Magazine
Physics World Video

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Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2011
 
Description Newpaper articles 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact 3 newpaper interviews with Birmingham Post/Mail

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Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2009
 
Description Newpapers 2011 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Articles in every major UK newspaper including Telegraph, Times, Daily Mail, Sun, Daily Mirror, and overseas newspapers

n/a
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2011
 
Description Physics Summer School 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Type Of Presentation Workshop Facilitator
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact 2 Day residential physics summer school - co-organiser

Encouraging A-level students to think about taking physics at degree level
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2009,2010,2011,2012,2013
 
Description Policy Commission 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact co-chaired (with Lord Hunt) a review of "The future of nuclear energy in the UK". Published a report July 2012. Lots of media exposure invitations to present conclusions of report.

Influence on Govmt policy on funding of nuclear research and education.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2011,2012
 
Description Provided copies of research posters for local school, Birmingham 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact Through direct link with the head of physics at a local school I was asked to provide copies of research posters (aimed at a general audience) to decorate their newly refurbished physics lab

Asked to give a talk to A-level students later this year
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2011
 
Description Quiz for Y9 Students 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Type Of Presentation Workshop Facilitator
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact Physics based quiz for year 9 students from across the region for last 5 years. ..... attended by >250 students per year

Student engagement
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2009,2010,2011,2012,2013
 
Description Radio Interviews; 5 different occasions 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact 5 radio interviews regarding ALICE and LHC

n/a
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2008
 
Description Radio+TV interviews 2011 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact 5-6 Radio+TV interviews on ALICE experiement and Big Bang

n/a
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2011
 
Description Radio/TV Interviews BBC 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Radio/TV interviews with the BBC; LHC re-creates the Big-Bang

n/a
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2010
 
Description School visit, Birmingham 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact About 60 pupils attended a careers talk, which sparked questions and discussions afterwards

Keep being invited back on a yearly basis
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2009,2010,2011
 
Description Talk, Science Festival 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact Talk about nucleosythesis to ~50 school children attending science festival

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Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2010
 
Description Talks 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact A variety of talks (>10) to Schools on nuclear science. Total audience of several thousand students.

Raising interest and awareness.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2009,2010,2011,2012,2013
 
Description Workshops, Science Festival 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact Series of weokshops attended by ~50 students

n/a
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2010