Nuclear structure and reactions: theory and experiment
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Surrey
Department Name: Nuclear and Radiation Physics
Abstract
Nuclear physics research is at the dawn of a new era. For almost 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. There has been steady progress over the past 20 years in the development of beams of radioactive isotopes. Now it is becoming possible to generate intense beams of a wide range of short-lived isotopes, so-called 'radioactive beams', and thus vastly to expand the scope of experimental nuclear research. For example, it is becoming possible 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 its experimental research, the Surrey group is participating strongly in the development of two European radioactive-beam facilities: FAIR at GSI, Darmstadt, Germany, and SPIRAL at GANIL, Caen, France. While we are contributing to substantial technical developments at these facilities, the present grant request is focused on the exploitation of the capabilities that are already becoming available. To achieve our physics objectives, we also need to use several different facilities, including stable-isotope accelerators, since these can provide complementary capabilities. Experimental progress is intimately linked with theory, where novel and practical approaches are a hallmark of the Surrey group. In the world-wide development of nuclear physics, there is a close connection between theory, experiment, and radiation detection techniques. A key feature of the Surrey group, unique within the UK, is our strength in all three of these areas. Our science goals are aligned with current STFC strategy for nuclear physics. 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 the Surrey 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. We need a more sophisticated understanding of the nuclear force, and this needs experimental information about these delicate nuclei to test our theoretical ideas and models. We also need better radiation detectors (more sensitive and more efficient) to make best use of the new radioactive beams. Therefore, theory, experiment, and detector developments go hand-in-hand as we push forward towards the nuclear limits. Our principal motivation is the basic science, and we contribute to the world sum of knowledge and understanding. Nevertheless, there are more-tangible benefits. For example, our radiation-detector advances are most likely to 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 and radiation protection industries, 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.
Organisations
Publications
Shane R
(2012)
Proton and neutron knockout from 36 Ca
in Physical Review C
Podolyák Z
(2009)
Proton-hole excitation in the closed shell nucleus 205Au
in Physics Letters B
Algora A
(2010)
Reactor decay heat in 239Pu: solving the ? discrepancy in the 4-3000-s cooling period.
in Physical review letters
Franchoo S.
(2009)
RECENT RESULTS FROM GANIL
in ACTA PHYSICA POLONICA B
Farrelly G. F.
(2009)
REVISION OF THE K-ISOMER IN
190W
116
in ACTA PHYSICA POLONICA B
Riley L
(2009)
Rotational and neutron-hole states in S 43 via the neutron knockout and fragmentation reactions
in Physical Review C
Chen L
(2009)
Schottky mass measurement of the 208Hg isotope: implication for the proton-neutron interaction strength around doubly magic 208Pb.
in Physical review letters
Muñoz-Britton T
(2010)
Search for the 2 + excitation of the Hoyle state in 12 C using the 12 C( 12 C,3a) 12 C reaction
in Journal of Physics G: Nuclear and Particle Physics
Bruce A
(2010)
Shape coexistence and isomeric states in neutron-rich Tc 112 and Tc 113
in Physical Review C
Zielinska M
(2009)
Shape of Ar 44 : Onset of deformation in neutron-rich nuclei near Ca 48
in Physical Review C
Briz J
(2015)
Shape study of the N = Z nucleus Kr 72 via ß decay
in Physical Review C
Diget C
(2011)
SHARC: Silicon Highly-segmented Array for Reactions and Coulex used in conjunction with the TIGRESS ?-ray spectrometer
in Journal of Instrumentation
Reynolds R
(2010)
Si 25 and S 29 studied via single neutron knockout reactions
in Physical Review C
Morales A
(2017)
Simultaneous investigation of the T = 1 ( J p = 0 + ) and T = 0 ( J p = 9 + ) ß decays in Br 70
in Physical Review C
Lecouey J
(2009)
Single-proton removal reaction study of 16B
in Physics Letters B
Nomura K
(2011)
Spectroscopic calculations of the low-lying structure in exotic Os and W isotopes
in Physical Review C
Söderström P
(2010)
Spectroscopy of neutron-rich Dy 168 , 170 : Yrast band evolution close to the N p N n valence maximum
in Physical Review C
Mukha I
(2010)
Spectroscopy of proton-unbound nuclei by tracking their decay products in-flight: One- and two- proton decays of F 15 , Ne 16 , and Na 19
in Physical Review C
Cáceres L
(2009)
Spherical proton-neutron structure of isomeric states in Cd 128
in Physical Review C
Kmiecik M
(2010)
Spin-alignment and g-factor measurement of the $I^{\pi}$ = 12+ isomer in 192Pb produced in the relativistic-energy fragmentation of a 238U beam
in The European Physical Journal A
Fujita Y
(2011)
Spin-isospin excitations probed by strong, weak and electro-magnetic interactions
in Progress in Particle and Nuclear Physics
Sumikama T
(2011)
Structural evolution in the neutron-rich nuclei ¹°6Zr and ¹°8Zr.
in Physical review letters
Banu A
(2011)
Structure of 23 Al from the one-proton breakup reaction and astrophysical implications
in Physical Review C
Maierbeck P
(2009)
Structure of 55Ti from relativistic one-neutron knockout
in Physics Letters B
Podolyák Z
(2009)
Structure of neutron-rich nuclei around the N = 126 closed shell; the yrast structure of 205Au126 up to spin-parity $I^{\pi}$ = (19/2+)
in The European Physical Journal A
Orrigo S
(2018)
Structure of proton-rich nuclei via mirror ß decay and charge exchange reactions
in Journal of Physics: Conference Series
Deo A
(2010)
Structures of Po 201 and Rn 205 from EC/ ß + -decay studies
in Physical Review C
Benzoni G
(2010)
Study of collisions of the radioactive 24Ne beam at 7.9 MeV/u on 208Pb
in The European Physical Journal A
Santawamaitre T
(2011)
Study of natural radioactivity in riverbank soils along the Chao Phraya river basin in Thailand
in Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment
Vitéz-Sveiczer A
(2020)
Studying the Exotic Decay $^{70}Kr$ $\rightarrow$ $^{70}Br$
Vitéz-Sveiczer A
(2020)
Studying the Exotic Decay \(^{70}\)Kr \(\rightarrow {}^{70}\)Br
in Acta Physica Polonica B
Morales A
(2011)
Synthesis of N = 127 isotones through ( p , n ) charge-exchange reactions induced by relativistic 208 Pb projectiles
in Physical Review C
FUJITA Y
(2011)
T z = ±1 ? 0 ISOSPIN SYMMETRY GAMOW-TELLER TRANSITIONS IN pf-SHELL NUCLEI
in Modern Physics Letters A
Molina F
(2015)
T z = - 1 ? 0 ß decays of Ni 54 , Fe 50 , Cr 46 , and Ti 42 and comparison with mirror ( He 3 , t ) measurements
in Physical Review C
Kumar R
(2009)
Testing of a DSSSD detector for the stopped RISING project
in Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment
Tengborn E
(2011)
The 8 Li + 2 H reaction studied in inverse kinematics at 3.15 MeV/nucleon using the REX-ISOLDE post-accelerator
in Physical Review C
Walker Phil
(2011)
THE ATOMIC NUCLEUS
in NEW SCIENTIST
Suckling E
(2010)
The effect of the tensor force on the predicted stability of superheavy nuclei
in EPL (Europhysics Letters)
Antonov A
(2011)
The electron-ion scattering experiment ELISe at the International Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research (FAIR)-A conceptual design study
in Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment
Fomichev A. S.
(2010)
THE SUGGESTED NEW FRAGMENT SEPARATOR ACCULINNA-2
in ACTA PHYSICA POLONICA B
Habib A
(2010)
The use of MCNP and gamma spectrometry in supporting the evaluation of NORM in Libyan oil pipeline scale
in Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment
Moro A
(2009)
Theory of ( d , p ) and ( p , d ) reactions including breakup: Comparison of methods
in Physical Review C
Yakhelef A
(2010)
Three-Body Spectrum of 18C and its Relevance to r-Process Nucleosynthesis
in Few-Body Systems
Labiche M
(2010)
TIARA: A large solid angle silicon array for direct reaction studies with radioactive beams
in Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment
Nakhostin M
(2010)
Time walk correction of CdTe detectors using depth sensing technique
in Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment
Santiago-Gonzalez D
(2011)
Triple configuration coexistence in S 44
in Physical Review C
Fallon P
(2010)
Two-proton knockout from Mg 32 : Intruder amplitudes in Ne 30 and implications for the binding of F 29 , 31
in Physical Review C
Goigoux T
(2016)
Two-Proton Radioactivity of ^{67}Kr.
in Physical review letters
Description | We have advanced the following areas: understanding the limits of the nuclear landscape, especially the neutron-rich limits; understanding and exploiting the reactions needed to reach the limits; studying and understanding novel structures observed on approaching the limits; engaging fully with the international community of nuclear physicists; disseminating results through leading journals and conferences; providing excellent training. |
Exploitation Route | The main beneficiaries of this work will be the national and international nuclear physics communities. In addition, the expected results on shell structure and isomeric states will also be of significant interest to the nuclear-astrophysics and isomer-application communities. We have an active involvement and information exchange with both these nuclear structure 'user' communities. The isomer work also links closely to the atomic physics community, in particular through the study of highly charged ions stored in rings and traps. Our theoretical methods will be of interest to the condensed-matter community, especially in relation to pairing condensates. The work on detector development has wide potential applications for medical diagnosis and treatment. The research will also provide manpower trained to a high level (PhDs and PDRAs with a deep understanding of radiation physics and sensor technologies) who may subsequently be employed in many different areas, such as national security, the nuclear power industries, environmental monitoring and control, and medical physics. |
Sectors | Education,Energy,Environment,Healthcare,Security and Diplomacy |
Description | No specific non-academic impact has yet become material. |
Description | IKC Funding dependent on several activities including STFC project |
Amount | £350,901 (GBP) |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Department | Ultraprecision and Structured Surfaces |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 11/2010 |
End | 01/2012 |
Title | stitching software |
Description | A new method of stitching interferometer data together in the presence of substantial lateral and rotational misalignments of the data-sets. This makes the invention uniquely applicable to on-machine metrology. The software can be provided to third parties in complied or encrypted form. |
IP Reference | |
Protection | Protection Not Required |
Year Protection Granted | |
Licensed | No |
Impact | A stitching solution amenable to use on non-precise positioning systems including polishing machines. Solves two critical metrology issues testing E-ELT segments. |
Description | AWE |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Type Of Presentation | Workshop Facilitator |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
Results and Impact | Scientific understanding helps with future planning |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2008,2009,2010 |