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
Brunet M.
(2020)
208Po populated through EC/ß+decay
in Journal of Physics: Conference Series
Stevenson P
(2020)
A time-dependent Hartree-Fock study of triple-alpha dynamics
in SciPost Physics Proceedings
Pereira-López X
(2020)
Low-lying single-particle structure of 17C and the N = 14 sub-shell closure
Gade A
(2021)
In-beam ? -ray spectroscopy of Cr 62 , 64
in Physical Review C
Drissi M
(2021)
Nambu-Covariant Many-Body Theory I: Perturbative Approximations
Häfner G
(2021)
First lifetime investigations of N > 82 iodine isotopes: The quest for collectivity
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
Assié M
(2021)
The MUGAST-AGATA-VAMOS campaign : set-up and performance
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
Ota S
(2021)
( Li 6 , d ) and ( Li 6 , t ) reactions on Ne 22 and implications for s -process nucleosynthesis
in Physical Review C
Wilson JN
(2021)
Angular momentum generation in nuclear fission.
in Nature
Kitamura N
(2021)
Coexisting normal and intruder configurations in $^{32}$Mg
Barton M
(2021)
Nuclear ground states in a consistent implementation of the time-dependent density matrix approach
in Physical Review C
Dinmore M
(2021)
Three-body optical potentials in ( d , p ) reactions and their influence on indirect study of stellar nucleosynthesis
in Physical Review C
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
Barbieri C
(2021)
Gorkov algebraic diagrammatic construction formalism at third order
Sumikama T
(2021)
Observation of new neutron-rich isotopes in the vicinity of Zr 110
in Physical Review C
Kitamura N
(2021)
Coexisting normal and intruder configurations in 32Mg
in Physics Letters B
Li, J.
(2021)
In-beam ?-ray spectroscopy of Cr 62,64
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
Chrisman D
(2021)
Neutron-unbound states in Ne 31
in Physical Review C
Moschini L
(2021)
Role of continuum in nuclear direct reactions with one-neutron halo nuclei: A one-dimensional model
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
Tostevin J
(2021)
Single-nucleon removal cross sections on nucleon and nuclear targets
Watanabe H
(2021)
Beta decay of the axially asymmetric ground state of 192Re
in Physics Letters B
Mistry A
(2022)
The DESPEC setup for GSI and FAIR
in Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment
Hooker J
(2022)
Use of Bayesian Optimization to understand the structure of nuclei
in Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms
Heine M
(2022)
Direct Measurement of Carbon Fusion at Astrophysical Energies with Gamma-Particle Coincidences
in EPJ Web of Conferences
Holl M
(2022)
Border of the island of inversion: Unbound states in Ne 29
in Physical Review C
Drissi M
(2022)
Many-body approximations to the superfluid gap and critical temperature in pure neutron matter
in The European Physical Journal A
Kitamura N
(2022)
In-beam ? -ray spectroscopy of Mg 32 via direct reactions
in Physical Review C
Barbieri C
(2022)
Gorkov algebraic diagrammatic construction formalism at third order
in Physical Review C
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
Keeble J
(2023)
Machine learning one-dimensional spinless trapped fermionic systems with neural-network quantum states
in Physical Review A
Kovoor J
(2023)
Structure studies of Be 13 from the Be 12 ( d , p ) reaction in inverse kinematics on a solid deuteron target
in Physical Review C
Gjestvang D
(2023)
Examination of how properties of a fissioning system impact isomeric yield ratios of the fragments
in Physical Review C
Thisse D
(2023)
Study of $$N=50$$ gap evolution around $$Z=32$$: new structure information for $${}^{82}$$Ge
in The European Physical Journal A
Lois-Fuentes J
(2023)
Cross-shell states in 15C: A test for p-sd interactions
in Physics Letters B
Lois-Fuentes J
(2023)
Cross-shell states in $^{15}$C: a test for p-sd interactions
Timofeyuk N
(2023)
Single-particle spectroscopic strength from nucleon transfer reactions with a three-nucleon force contribution
in Physics Letters B
Morrison L
(2023)
Quadrupole and octupole collectivity in the semi-magic nucleus 80 206 Hg126
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 |