Characterization of the Density Dependence of the Asymmetry Term of the Nuclear EOS

不对称项几乎影响中子星星的所有宏观性质。 该计划的长期目标是将目前对核不对称能量密度依赖性的理解扩展到更高的密度。 这样做，将实现对中子星更深入到星星核心的宏观性质的理解。 该计划结合了多个已批准的实验，并通过国际合作开发了用于未来测量的设备。 到计划期结束时，一些与密度等于核饱和密度及以下的核状态方程（EOS）的不对称项的密度依赖性有关的问题将得到解决。 除此之外，还将探讨核状态方程不对称项的高密度（大于正常核密度）行为的测量。 该计划将与强大的国际合作相结合，在世界一流的设施中建立高水平的实验，以探索密度大于和小于核饱和密度时EOS的同位旋依赖性。这些是与国家超导回旋加速器实验室、日本三鹰国家天文台圣路易斯的华盛顿大学和日本东京的RIKEN。 拟议的计划为学生（研究生和本科生）提供培训，整合研究和教学的环境。 在任何给定的时间在程序中，至少有一个本科生和一个研究生将被雇用。 学生将被期望参加各级实验计划，包括仪器的建设，参与大型实验和数据分析。 这项培训将有助于辐射探测，教育，美国竞争力和国家安全领域的下一代物理学家。

The asymmetry term affects nearly every macroscopic property of the neutron star. A long-term goal of the proposed program is to extend current understanding of the density dependence of the nuclear asymmetry energy to higher densities. In doing so, understanding of the macroscopic properties of neutron stars deeper into the core of the star will be achieved. The program combines multiple approved experiments with development of apparatus for future measurements via an international collaboration. By the end of the program period, a number of problems pertaining to the density dependence of the asymmetry term of the nuclear equation-of-state (EOS) at densities equal to the nuclear saturation density and below will have been solved. In addition to this, the measurement of the high-density (greater than normal nuclear density) behavior of the asymmetry term of the nuclear EOS will be approached. This program will be integrated with a strong international collaboration to establish high-level experimentation at world-class facilities to explore the isospin dependence of the EOS at densities greater than and less than the nuclear saturation density.Several strong collaborations will be engaged in this research; these are existing collaborations with the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory, the National Astronomical Observatory in Mitaka, Japan, Washington University in St. Louis, and RIKEN in Tokyo, Japan. The proposed program provides training for students (graduate and undergraduate) in an environment that integrates research and teaching. At any given time during the program, at least one undergraduate and one graduate student will be employed. Students will be expected to participate in the experimental program at all levels including construction of apparatus, participation in large-scale experiments, and data analysis. This training will contribute to the next generation of physicists in a field important to radiation detection, education, American competitiveness, and national security.