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
Guadilla V
(2017)
Experimental study of Tc 100 ß decay with total absorption ? -ray spectroscopy
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
Browne F
(2017)
K selection in the decay of the ( ? 5 2 [ 532 ] ? 3 2 [ 411 ] ) 4 - isomeric state in Zr 102
in Physical Review C
Rios A
(2017)
Pairing and Short-Range Correlations in Nuclear Systems.
in Journal of low temperature physics
Scott M
(2017)
Observation of the Isovector Giant Monopole Resonance via the Si 28 ( Be 10 , B * 10 [ 1.74 MeV ] ) Reaction at 100 A MeV
in Physical Review Letters
Judge S
(2017)
Radionuclide metrology research for nuclear site decommissioning
in Radiation Physics and Chemistry
Walker P
(2017)
Isomer building blocks and K -forbidden decays
in Physica Scripta
Barton M
(2017)
Magnetic Dipole Transitions with the Full Skyrme Interaction
Bazin D
(2017)
Doubly Magic Nickel
in Physics
Gurgi L
(2017)
Nanosecond lifetime measurements of Ip=9/2- intrinsic excited states and low-lying B(E1) strengths in 183Re using combined HPGe-LaBr3 coincidence spectroscopy
in Radiation Physics and Chemistry
Gonzalez-Boquera C
(2017)
Higher-order symmetry energy and neutron star core-crust transition with Gogny forces
Kievsky A
(2017)
Saturation properties of helium drops from a leading-order description
in Physical Review A
Shams H
(2017)
A review of the evaluation of TENORM levels at the produced water lagoon of the Minagish oil field using high-resolution gamma-ray spectrometry
in Radiation Physics and Chemistry
Daniel T
(2017)
? -ray spectroscopy of low-lying excited states and shape competition in Os 194
in Physical Review C
Crawford H
(2017)
Unexpected distribution of ? 1 f 7 / 2 strength in Ca 49
in Physical Review C
Mohamud H
(2017)
Progress towards the development of a rapid analytical approach for separation of 226 Ra using dibenzo-18-crown-6 ether functionalised silica (SiO 2 ) disks
in Radiation Physics and Chemistry
Bailey G
(2017)
Nonlocal nucleon-nucleus interactions in ( d , p ) reactions: Role of the deuteron D state
in Physical Review C
Caballero-Folch R
(2017)
ß -decay half-lives and ß -delayed neutron emission probabilities for several isotopes of Au, Hg, Tl, Pb, and Bi, beyond N = 126
in Physical Review C
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
Gurgi L
(2017)
Isomer spectroscopy of neutron-rich 168Tb103
in Radiation Physics and Chemistry
Wood R
(2017)
Three-quasiparticle isomer in Ta 173 and the excitation energy dependence of K -forbidden transition rates
in Physical Review C
Fernández-Domínguez B
(2018)
How sharp is the transition into the N=20 island of inversion for the Mg isotopes ?
in Journal of Physics: Conference Series
McIlroy C
(2018)
Doubly magic nuclei from lattice QCD forces at M PS = 469 MeV / c 2
in Physical Review C
Raimondi F
(2018)
Algebraic diagrammatic construction formalism with three-body interactions
in Physical Review C
Caballero-Folch R
(2018)
First determination of ß -delayed multiple neutron emission beyond A = 100 through direct neutron measurement: The P 2 n value of Sb 136
in Physical Review C
Mohamud H
(2018)
Selective sorption of uranium from aqueous solution by graphene oxide-modified materials.
in Journal of radioanalytical and nuclear chemistry
Giatzoglou A
(2018)
A facility for production and laser cooling of cesium isotopes and isomers
in Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment
Divaratne D
(2018)
One- and two-neutron removal cross sections of O 24
in Physical Review C
Koseoglou P
(2018)
The boundary of the N=90 shape phase transition: $^{148}$Ce
Barbieri C
(2018)
Recent Applications of Self-Consistent Green's Function Theory to Nuclei
in Journal of Physics: Conference Series
Giatzoglou A
(2018)
A Facility for Production and Laser Cooling of Cesium Isotopes and Isomers
Fernández-Domínguez B
(2018)
Re-examining the transition into the N=20 island of inversion: structure of $^{30}$Mg
Fernández-Domínguez B
(2018)
Re-examining the transition into the N = 20 island of inversion: Structure of 30Mg
in Physics Letters B
Wen K
(2018)
Two-body dissipation effect in nuclear fusion reactions
in Physical Review C
Marmugi L
(2018)
Coherent gamma photon generation in a Bose-Einstein condensate of 135 m Cs
in Physics Letters B
Collins SM
(2018)
Investigation of ?-? coincidence counting using the National Nuclear Array (NANA) as a primary standard.
in Applied radiation and isotopes : including data, instrumentation and methods for use in agriculture, industry and medicine
Gómez-Ramos M
(2018)
Reduced sensitivity of the ( d , p ) cross sections to the deuteron model beyond the adiabatic approximation
in Physical Review C
Recchia F
(2018)
Neutron knockout from 68,70 Ni ground and isomeric states.
in Journal of Physics: Conference Series
Carbone A
(2018)
Microscopic predictions of the nuclear matter liquid-gas phase transition
in Physical Review C
Timofeyuk N
(2018)
Three-nucleon force contribution in the distorted-wave theory of ( d , p ) reactions
in Physical Review C
Schuetrumpf B
(2018)
The TDHF code Sky3D version 1.1
in Computer Physics Communications
Atar L
(2018)
Quasifree (p, 2p) Reactions on Oxygen Isotopes: Observation of Isospin Independence of the Reduced Single-Particle Strength.
in Physical review letters
Koseoglou P
(2018)
The boundary of the N=90 shape phase transition: 148 Ce
in Journal of Physics: Conference Series
Rocco N
(2018)
Inclusive electron-nucleus cross section within the self-consistent Green's function approach
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 |