Fundamental Studies in Nuclear Physics and Astrophysics

核物理和天体物理学基础研究

• 批准号: 0244899
• 负责人: Robert McKeown
• 金额: $ 378万
• 依托单位: California Institute of Technology
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2003
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2003-04-15 至 2006-03-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0244899&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Fundamental; Studies; Nuclear; Physics; Astrophysics

Research at the Kellogg Radiation Laboratory of the California Institute of Technology includes both experimental research and theoretical research addressing key issues in nuclear physics and related areas of particle physics and high-energy astrophysics. Research topics include high-energy electron scattering, ultra-cold neutron research, and ultra-high energy cosmic ray studies. Participation by postdoctoral scholars, graduate students and undergraduate students is integrated throughout the program, affording young researchers exceptional opportunities to advance their training and education in these frontier areas of nuclear physics and astrophysics .The goals of our research in high-energy electron scattering are twofold: a.) study of the internal structure of the protons and neutrons that are the basic constituents of the atomic nucleus, and b.) high-precision testing of the basic theory of weak and electromagnetic interactions to reveal potential new physics. We will perform theoretical work related to the interpretation of the results of these experiments.We will also embark on a new experimental program utilizing novel techniques to produce and study ultra-cold neutrons. These neutrons are converted to very cold temperatures where they can be trapped for long periods of time, enabling very precise measurements of their properties. The first experiment will study the violation of mirror symmetry in the decay of ultra-cold neutrons. We will also perform research and development towards a new measurement of the electric dipole moment of the neutron. The goal of the new electric dipole moment experiment is to improve the precision by a factor of 100 compared to previous measurements; observation of the electric dipole moment signals violation of time reversal, and would provide important information related to the origin of matter-antimatter asymmetry in the universe and the new physical phenomena responsible. Theoretical studies related to these experimental efforts are also part of this program.We will continue our deployment and operation of the first phase of the California HIgh school Cosmic ray ObServatory (CHICOS). The goals of this innovative program are a.) establish an important scientific facility for ultra-high energy cosmic ray research by utilizing the Los Angeles area school system infrastructure, b.) provide LA high school science teachers and students with an exciting opportunity to participate in a frontier scientific research project. During this grant period we plan to complete the deployment of ~90 sites to form the largest operating ground array in the northern hemisphere and begin to collect a sample of ultra-high energy air shower events. Operation of this array during this period will yield results capable of shedding light on the origin of these remarkable events and will demonstrate a new cost-effective approach to constructing and operating very large ground arrays. In addition, the impact of the CHICOS program in providing opportunities in research for the high school teacher and student population of Los Angeles is potentially enormous

加州理工学院凯洛格辐射实验室的研究既包括针对核物理关键问题的实验研究，也包括针对粒子物理和高能天体物理相关领域的理论研究。研究课题包括高能电子散射、超冷中子研究和超高能宇宙线研究。博士后学者、研究生和本科生的参与贯穿整个项目，为年轻研究人员提供了在核物理和天体物理的这些前沿领域推进他们的培训和教育的绝佳机会。我们在高能电子散射方面的研究目标有两个：a)研究作为原子核基本成分的质子和中子的内部结构，以及b。高精度测试弱相互作用和电磁相互作用的基本理论，以揭示潜在的新物理学。我们将进行与解释这些实验结果相关的理论工作。我们还将启动一个新的实验计划，利用新的技术来生产和研究超冷中子。这些中子被转化为非常低的温度，在那里它们可以被长期捕获，从而能够非常精确地测量它们的性质。第一个实验将研究超冷中子衰变过程中镜像对称性的破坏。我们还将研究和开发一种新的测量中子电偶极矩的方法。新的电偶极矩实验的目标是将精度提高到以前测量的100倍；观察电偶极矩信号违反了时间反转，并将提供与宇宙中物质-反物质不对称的起源和相关新的物理现象有关的重要信息。与这些实验工作相关的理论研究也是这一计划的一部分。我们将继续部署和运行加州高中宇宙射线天文台(CHICOS)的第一阶段。这一创新计划的目标是。)利用洛杉矶地区的学校系统基础设施，建立超高能宇宙线研究的重要科学设施。为洛杉矶高中科学教师和学生提供一个参与前沿科学研究项目的令人兴奋的机会。在这一赠款期间，我们计划完成约90个地点的部署，以形成北半球最大的地面作业阵列，并开始收集超高能空气簇射事件的样本。在此期间运行该阵列将产生能够揭示这些显著事件的起源的结果，并将展示一种建造和运行超大型地面阵列的新的成本效益方法。此外，CHICOS计划在为洛杉矶的高中教师和学生群体提供研究机会方面的影响可能是巨大的