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
Zhang G
(2019)
Interplay of quasiparticle and vibrational excitations: First observation of isomeric states in 168Dy and 169Dy
in Physics Letters B
Zakari-Issoufou AA
(2015)
Total Absorption Spectroscopy Study of (92)Rb Decay: A Major Contributor to Reactor Antineutrino Spectrum Shape.
in Physical review letters
Yuan C
(2016)
Isomerism in the "south-east" of 132Sn and a predicted neutron-decaying isomer in 129Pd
in Physics Letters B
Yates D
(2023)
Decay spectroscopy of Eu 160 : Quasiparticle configurations of excited states and structure of K p = 4 + bandheads in Gd 160
in Physical Review C
Wu X
(2017)
Systematic study of multi-quasiparticle K -isomeric bands in tungsten isotopes by the extended projected shell model
in Physical Review C
Wood R
(2017)
Three-quasiparticle isomer in Ta 173 and the excitation energy dependence of K -forbidden transition rates
in Physical Review C
Wimmer K
(2014)
Elastic breakup cross sections of well-bound nucleons
Wimmer K
(2014)
Elastic breakup cross sections of well-bound nucleons
in Physical Review C
Wimmer K
(2019)
Discovery of 68Br in secondary reactions of radioactive beams
in Physics Letters B
Wilson JN
(2021)
Angular momentum generation in nuclear fission.
in Nature
Wilson G
(2016)
Shell evolution approaching the N= 20 island of inversion: Structure of 26Na
in Physics Letters B
Wilson E
(2015)
Core excitations across the neutron shell gap in 207Tl
in Physics Letters B
Wiederhold J
(2019)
Evolution of E 2 strength in the rare-earth isotopes Hf 174 , 176 , 178 , 180
in Physical Review C
Wen K
(2018)
Two-body dissipation effect in nuclear fusion reactions
in Physical Review C
Wen K
(2019)
Dissipation Dynamics of Nuclear Fusion Reactions
in Acta Physica Polonica B
Welker A
(2017)
Binding Energy of ^{79}Cu: Probing the Structure of the Doubly Magic ^{78}Ni from Only One Proton Away.
in Physical review letters
Watanabe H
(2021)
Beta decay of the axially asymmetric ground state of 192Re
in Physics Letters B
Watanabe H
(2016)
Long-lived K isomer and enhanced ? vibration in the neutron-rich nucleus 172Dy: Collectivity beyond double midshell
in Physics Letters B
Watanabe H
(2019)
New isomers in 125Pd79 and 127Pd81: Competing proton and neutron excitations in neutron-rich palladium nuclides towards the N = 82 shell closure
in Physics Letters B
Walshe J
(2016)
Experimental study of high-lying states in Mg 28 using the resonant elastic scattering of a particles
in Physical Review C
Walker PM
(2020)
Properties of ^{187}Ta Revealed through Isomeric Decay.
in Physical review letters
Walker P
(2016)
High- K isomerism in rotational nuclei
in Physica Scripta
Walker P
(2017)
Isomer building blocks and K -forbidden decays
in Physica Scripta
Walker P
(2020)
100 years of nuclear isomers-then and now
in Physica Scripta
Walker P
(2020)
Properties of 187Ta revealed through isomeric decay
Waldecker S
(2016)
Implications for ( d , p ) reaction theory from nonlocal dispersive optical model analysis of Ca 40 ( d , p ) Ca 41
in Physical Review C
Vogt A
(2016)
High-spin structure of Xe 134
in Physical Review C
Vockerodt T
(2019)
Describing heavy-ion fusion with quantum coupled-channels wave-packet dynamics
in Physical Review C
Vaquero V
(2019)
Inclusive cross sections for one- and multi-nucleon removal from Sn, Sb, and Te projectiles beyond the N = 82 shell closure
in Physics Letters B
Van Den Bossche R
(2019)
Modelling incomplete fusion dynamics of complex nuclei at Coulomb energies
in Physical Review C
Van Den Bossche R
(2020)
Production of transuranium isotopes in Ne 20 -induced incomplete fusion reactions
in Physical Review C
Tu X
(2015)
Study of projectile fragmentation reaction with isochronous mass spectrometry
in Physica Scripta
Tostevin J
(2014)
Systematics of intermediate-energy single-nucleon removal cross sections
Tostevin J
(2014)
Systematics of intermediate-energy single-nucleon removal cross sections
in Physical Review C
Tostevin J
(2021)
Single-nucleon removal cross sections on nucleon and nuclear targets
Togano Y
(2016)
Interaction cross section study of the two-neutron halo nucleus 22 C
in Physics Letters B
Timofeyuk N
(2019)
Three-body problem with velocity-dependent optical potentials: a case of ( d , p ) reactions
in Journal of Physics G: Nuclear and Particle Physics
Timofeyuk N
(2023)
Single-particle spectroscopic strength from nucleon transfer reactions with a three-nucleon force contribution
in Physics Letters B
Timofeyuk N
(2015)
Widths of low-lying nucleon resonances in light nuclei in the source-term approach
in Physical Review C
Timofeyuk N
(2017)
Hyperspherical Harmonics Expansion on Lagrange Meshes for Bosonic Systems in One Dimension
in Few-Body Systems
Timofeyuk N
(2018)
Three-nucleon force contribution in the distorted-wave theory of ( d , p ) reactions
in Physical Review C
Timofeyuk N
(2015)
Convergence of the hyperspherical-harmonics expansion with increasing number of particles for bosonic systems. II. Inclusion of the three-body force
in Physical Review A
Timofeyuk N
(2020)
Three-nucleon force contribution to the deuteron channel in ( d , p ) reactions
in Physical Review C
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 |