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
Lorusso G
(2016)
Development of the NPL gamma-ray spectrometer NANA for traceable nuclear decay and structure studies.
in Applied radiation and isotopes : including data, instrumentation and methods for use in agriculture, industry and medicine
Lorusso G
(2015)
ß-Decay Half-Lives of 110 Neutron-Rich Nuclei across the N=82 Shell Gap: Implications for the Mechanism and Universality of the Astrophysical r Process.
in Physical review letters
Lotay G
(2019)
Identification of $\gamma$-decaying resonant states in 26Mg and their importance for the astrophysical s process
in The European Physical Journal A
Lotay G
(2016)
Direct Measurement of the Astrophysical ^{38}K(p,?)^{39}Ca Reaction and Its Influence on the Production of Nuclides toward the End Point of Nova Nucleosynthesis.
in Physical review letters
Mahzoon H
(2019)
Nuclear slabs with Green's functions: mean field and short-range correlations
in The European Physical Journal Special Topics
Makek M
(2016)
Differential cross section measurement of the 12C(e,e'pp)10Beg.s. reaction
in The European Physical Journal A
Mallaburn M
(2019)
A time-of-flight correction procedure for fast-timing data of recoils with varying implantation positions at a spectrometer focal plane
in Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment
Marchini N.
(2019)
Low-energy Coulomb excitation of
94Zr
in NUOVO CIMENTO C-COLLOQUIA AND COMMUNICATIONS IN PHYSICS
Margerin V
(2015)
Inverse Kinematic Study of the (26g)Al(d,p)(27)Al Reaction and Implications for Destruction of (26)Al in Wolf-Rayet and Asymptotic Giant Branch Stars.
in Physical review letters
Marmugi L
(2018)
Coherent gamma photon generation in a Bose-Einstein condensate of 135 m Cs
in Physics Letters B
Matta A
(2019)
Shell evolution approaching the N = 20 island of inversion: Structure of Mg 29
in Physical Review C
Matta A
(2015)
New findings on structure and production of He 10 from Li 11 with the ( d , He 3 ) reaction
in Physical Review C
Matta A
(2016)
NPTool: a simulation and analysis framework for low-energy nuclear physics experiments
in Journal of Physics G: Nuclear and Particle Physics
McCleskey E
(2016)
Simultaneous measurement of ß -delayed proton and ? decay of P 27
in Physical Review C
Mcfadden Johnjoe
(2015)
Good Vibrations
in SCIENTIST
McIlroy C
(2018)
Doubly magic nuclei from lattice QCD forces at M PS = 469 MeV / c 2
in Physical Review C
Mei B
(2015)
First measurement of the Ru 96 ( p , ? ) Rh 97 cross section for the p process with a storage ring
in Physical Review C
Milne S
(2016)
Mirrored one-nucleon knockout reactions to the T z = ± 3 2 A = 53 mirror nuclei
in Physical Review C
Milne SA
(2016)
Isospin Symmetry at High Spin Studied via Nucleon Knockout from Isomeric States.
in Physical review letters
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
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 |