SARFEN: Structure And Reactions For Exotic Nuclei (NuPNet)

Understanding the structures of exotic nuclei, which are produced in relatively small numbers with short lifetimes using dedicated accelerator facilities, requires that experimenters perform nuclear scattering and reactions with these nuclei. The results of these experiments (cross sections and fragment momentum distrubutions) can be analysed to learn about the structure of these rare nuclei. This involves combining information from theoretical models of nuclear structure and from nuclear reactions to (a) suggest measurements, (b) make predictions, and (c) compare these with the measurements. This research will allow theoretical reaction work, conducted and funded by STFC in the UK, to benefit from newly-available structure information from structure theorists in the SARFEN network and to contribute to the interpretation of experiments, thus advancing our understanding of the properties of exotic nuclei.

A key current topic is that of nuclear security. The theoretical nuclear reaction techniques have general impact. In this regard the PI is connected with AWE plc, including supervision of a collaborative PhD student. Furthermore, our basic studies of reaction processes and the structure of unstable nuclei may be important for future energy technologies.