Nuclear Structure and Reactions: Theory and Experiment
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Surrey
Department Name: Physics
Abstract
Nuclear physics research is undergoing a transformation. For a hundred years, atomic nuclei have been probed by collisions between stable beams and stable targets, with just a small number of radioactive isotopes being available. Now, building on steady progress over the past 20 years, it is at last becoming possible to generate intense beams of a wide range of short-lived isotopes, so-called "radioactive beams". This enables us vastly to expand the scope of experimental nuclear research. For example, it is now realistic to plan to study in the laboratory a range of nuclear reactions that take place in exploding stars. Thereby, we will be able to understand how the chemical elements that we find on Earth were formed and distributed through the Universe.
At the core of our experimental research is our strong participation at leading international radioactive-beam facilities. While we are now contributing, or planning to contribute, to substantial technical developments at these facilities, the present grant request is focused on the exploitation of the capabilities that are now becoming available.
Experimental progress is intimately linked with theory, where novel and practical approaches are a hallmark of the Surrey group. An outstanding feature, which is key to our group's research plans and is unique in the UK, is our powerful blend of theoretical and experimental capability.
Our science goals are aligned with current STFC strategy for nuclear physics, as expressed in detail through the Nuclear Physics Advisory Panel. We wish to understand the boundaries of nuclear existence, i.e. the limiting conditions that enable neutrons and protons to bind together to form nuclei. Under such conditions, the nuclear system is in a delicate state and shows unusual phenomena. It is very sensitive to the properties of the nuclear force. For example, weakly bound neutrons can orbit their parent nucleus at remarkably large distances. This is already known, and our group made key contributions to this knowledge. What is unknown is whether, and to what extent, the neutrons and protons can show different collective behaviours. Also unknown, for most elements, is how many neutrons can bind to a given number of protons. It is features such as these that determine how stars explode. To tackle these problems, we need a more sophisticated understanding of the nuclear force, and we need experimental information about nuclei with unusual combinations of neutrons and protons to test our theoretical ideas and models. Therefore, theory and experiment go hand-in-hand as we push forward towards the nuclear limits.
An overview of nuclear binding reveals that about one half of predicted nuclei have never been observed, and the vast majority of this unknown territory involves nuclei with an excess of neutrons. Much of our activity addresses this "neutron-rich" territory, exploiting the new capabilities with radioactive beams.
Our principal motivation is the basic science, and we contribute strongly to the world sum of knowledge and understanding. Nevertheless, there are more-tangible benefits. For example, our radiation-detector advances can be incorporated in medical diagnosis and treatment. In addition, we provide an excellent training environment for our research students and staff, many of whom go on to work in the nuclear power industry, helping to fill the current skills gap. On a more adventurous note, our special interest in nuclear isomers (energy traps) could lead to novel energy applications. Furthermore, we have a keen interest in sharing our specialist knowledge with a wide audience, and we already have an enviable track record with the media.
At the core of our experimental research is our strong participation at leading international radioactive-beam facilities. While we are now contributing, or planning to contribute, to substantial technical developments at these facilities, the present grant request is focused on the exploitation of the capabilities that are now becoming available.
Experimental progress is intimately linked with theory, where novel and practical approaches are a hallmark of the Surrey group. An outstanding feature, which is key to our group's research plans and is unique in the UK, is our powerful blend of theoretical and experimental capability.
Our science goals are aligned with current STFC strategy for nuclear physics, as expressed in detail through the Nuclear Physics Advisory Panel. We wish to understand the boundaries of nuclear existence, i.e. the limiting conditions that enable neutrons and protons to bind together to form nuclei. Under such conditions, the nuclear system is in a delicate state and shows unusual phenomena. It is very sensitive to the properties of the nuclear force. For example, weakly bound neutrons can orbit their parent nucleus at remarkably large distances. This is already known, and our group made key contributions to this knowledge. What is unknown is whether, and to what extent, the neutrons and protons can show different collective behaviours. Also unknown, for most elements, is how many neutrons can bind to a given number of protons. It is features such as these that determine how stars explode. To tackle these problems, we need a more sophisticated understanding of the nuclear force, and we need experimental information about nuclei with unusual combinations of neutrons and protons to test our theoretical ideas and models. Therefore, theory and experiment go hand-in-hand as we push forward towards the nuclear limits.
An overview of nuclear binding reveals that about one half of predicted nuclei have never been observed, and the vast majority of this unknown territory involves nuclei with an excess of neutrons. Much of our activity addresses this "neutron-rich" territory, exploiting the new capabilities with radioactive beams.
Our principal motivation is the basic science, and we contribute strongly to the world sum of knowledge and understanding. Nevertheless, there are more-tangible benefits. For example, our radiation-detector advances can be incorporated in medical diagnosis and treatment. In addition, we provide an excellent training environment for our research students and staff, many of whom go on to work in the nuclear power industry, helping to fill the current skills gap. On a more adventurous note, our special interest in nuclear isomers (energy traps) could lead to novel energy applications. Furthermore, we have a keen interest in sharing our specialist knowledge with a wide audience, and we already have an enviable track record with the media.
Planned Impact
Here we address more specifically the wider community who may benefit from our basic research.
A key current topic is that of nuclear security. Here our advanced experimental and theoretical techniques may help to address the needs of the security industry. In this regard we are well connected with AWE plc, including collaborative PhD students.
We have recently developed strong links with the National Physical Laboratory, where we enhance their capabilities in radionuclide metrology.
Sustainable energy production is another vital issue for society, and nuclear energy has an important role to play. We have made fundamental advances that lead to a better understanding of decay heat in nuclear reactors. Furthermore, our basic studies of both reaction processes and the structure of unstable nuclei may be important for future nuclear energy technologies.
Cancer diagnosis and treatment is of great importance. Our radiation-detector advances can lead to improved imaging systems, that benefit cancer and other medical treatments.
A key current topic is that of nuclear security. Here our advanced experimental and theoretical techniques may help to address the needs of the security industry. In this regard we are well connected with AWE plc, including collaborative PhD students.
We have recently developed strong links with the National Physical Laboratory, where we enhance their capabilities in radionuclide metrology.
Sustainable energy production is another vital issue for society, and nuclear energy has an important role to play. We have made fundamental advances that lead to a better understanding of decay heat in nuclear reactors. Furthermore, our basic studies of both reaction processes and the structure of unstable nuclei may be important for future nuclear energy technologies.
Cancer diagnosis and treatment is of great importance. Our radiation-detector advances can lead to improved imaging systems, that benefit cancer and other medical treatments.
Organisations
Publications
Morrison L
(2020)
Quadrupole deformation of Xe 130 measured in a Coulomb-excitation experiment
in Physical Review C
Rudigier M
(2020)
Multi-quasiparticle sub-nanosecond isomers in 178W
in Physics Letters B
Jongile S
(2020)
Structure of Si 33 and the magicity of the N = 20 gap at Z = 14
in Physical Review C
Pereira-López X
(2020)
Low-lying single-particle structure of 17C and the N = 14 sub-shell closure
Rudigier M
(2020)
Multi-quasiparticle sub-nanosecond isomers in $^{178}W$
Gade A
(2020)
In-beam ?-ray spectroscopy at the proton dripline: 40Sc
in Physics Letters B
Ota S
(2020)
Decay properties of 22Ne + a resonances and their impact on s-process nucleosynthesis
in Physics Letters B
Kitamura N
(2020)
Structure of Mg 30 explored via in-beam ? -ray spectroscopy
in Physical Review C
Fruet G
(2020)
Advances in the Direct Study of Carbon Burning in Massive Stars.
in Physical review letters
Walker P
(2020)
100 years of nuclear isomers-then and now
in Physica Scripta
Timofeyuk N
(2020)
Three-nucleon force contribution to the deuteron channel in ( d , p ) reactions
in Physical Review C
Brunet M.
(2020)
208Po populated through EC/ß+decay
in Journal of Physics: Conference Series
Momiyama S
(2020)
Shell structure of S 43 and collapse of the N = 28 shell closure
in Physical Review C
Stevenson P
(2020)
Internuclear potentials from the Sky3D code
in IOP SciNotes
Charity R
(2020)
Single-nucleon knockout cross sections for reactions producing resonance states at or beyond the drip line
in Physical Review C
Kievsky A
(2020)
Few bosons to many bosons inside the unitary window: A transition between universal and nonuniversal behavior
in Physical Review A
Canavan R
(2020)
Half-life measurements in Dy 164 , 166 using ? - ? fast-timing spectroscopy with the ? -Ball spectrometer
in Physical Review C
Longfellow B
(2020)
Two-neutron knockout as a probe of the composition of states in Mg 22 , Al 23 , and Si 24
in Physical Review C
Shearman R
(2020)
Determination of beta-delayed neutron emission probability limits of rhodium isotopes by gamma-ray spectroscopy
in Journal of Physics: Conference Series
Moschini L
(2021)
Tracing the dynamical interplay of low-energy reaction processes of exotic nuclei using a two-center molecular continuum
in Physics Letters B
Kitamura N
(2021)
Coexisting normal and intruder configurations in 32Mg
in Physics Letters B
Häfner G
(2021)
First lifetime investigations of N > 82 iodine isotopes: The quest for collectivity
in Physical Review C
Gamba E.R.
(2021)
Lifetime measurements of the 2+1 , 4+1 and 6+1 states in 114Pd
in Nuovo Cimento della Societa Italiana di Fisica C
Brunet M
(2021)
Competition between allowed and first-forbidden ß decays of At 208 and expansion of the Po 208 level scheme
in Physical Review C
Li, J.
(2021)
In-beam ?-ray spectroscopy of Cr 62,64
Barbieri C
(2021)
Gorkov algebraic diagrammatic construction formalism at third order
Assié M
(2021)
The MUGAST-AGATA-VAMOS campaign : set-up and performance
Moschini L
(2021)
Role of continuum in nuclear direct reactions with one-neutron halo nuclei: A one-dimensional model
in Physical Review C
Sumikama T
(2021)
Observation of new neutron-rich isotopes in the vicinity of Zr 110
in Physical Review C
Barton M
(2021)
Nuclear ground states in a consistent implementation of the time-dependent density matrix approach
in Physical Review C
Tostevin J
(2021)
Single-nucleon removal cross sections on nucleon and nuclear targets
Assié M
(2021)
The MUGAST-AGATA-VAMOS campaign: Set-up and performances
in Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment
Chrisman D
(2021)
Neutron-unbound states in Ne 31
in Physical Review C
Drissi M
(2021)
Nambu-Covariant Many-Body Theory I: Perturbative Approximations
Wilson JN
(2021)
Angular momentum generation in nuclear fission.
in Nature
Dinmore M
(2021)
Three-body optical potentials in ( d , p ) reactions and their influence on indirect study of stellar nucleosynthesis
in Physical Review C
Häfner G
(2021)
Spectroscopy and lifetime measurements in Te 134 , 136 , 138 isotopes and implications for the nuclear structure beyond N = 82
in Physical Review C
Kitamura N
(2021)
Coexisting normal and intruder configurations in $^{32}$Mg
Gade A
(2021)
In-beam ? -ray spectroscopy of Cr 62 , 64
in Physical Review C
Ota S
(2021)
( Li 6 , d ) and ( Li 6 , t ) reactions on Ne 22 and implications for s -process nucleosynthesis
in Physical Review C
Watanabe H
(2021)
Beta decay of the axially asymmetric ground state of 192Re
in Physics Letters B
| Description | The grant has funded experimental work at RIKEN, TRIUMF, Argonne, GANIL and other international laboratories and theoretical collaborations with RIKEN, MSU, GSI and other major centres. New isomeric states in exotic nuclei were discovered and much-improved measurements of nuclear astrophysical cross sections were determined. |
| Exploitation Route | Outputs are published in the leading scientific journals and will feed into improved nuclear astrophysics and nuclear structure theories. |
| Sectors | Other |
| URL | http://www.nucleartheory.net/NPG/recent_publications.htm |
| Description | Advancing Nuclear Science via Theory and Experiment |
| Amount | £1,724,621 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | ST/V001108/1 |
| Organisation | Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 09/2021 |
| End | 03/2025 |
| Description | TENSAR - Theory and Experiment for Nuclear Structure, Astrophysics & Reactions |
| Amount | £2,379,779 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | ST/Y000358/1 |
| Organisation | Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 08/2024 |
| End | 09/2027 |