Expanding the Limits of Known Nuclear Masses Farther From Stability

元素的起源至今仍是核物理学界最大的未解之谜之一。特别是涉及远不稳定原子核的核合成过程（即，rp-和r-过程）在很大程度上仍未得到检验。该奖项将资助该小组参与一项初步实验，该实验已被批准用于直接测量与天体物理rp过程相关的质子滴线核的质量。这项工作涉及RIKEN放射性离子束工厂（RIBF）核天体物理学的国际合作。未来的实验计划是直接测量与核合成r过程相关的富中子核的质量，以及测量远离稳定的核结构的实验。高强度的RIBF使涉及非常奇异核的实验成为可能。由于该计划的广泛影响，研究生和本科生都将参加该计划，提供国际水平的科学接触。一项国际合作将参与拟议的工作，美国将在目前地球上最强大的重离子加速器上建立一个存在。

The origin of the elements remains one of the largest unanswered questions in nuclear physics today. In particular, nucleosynthesis processes involving nuclei far from stability (i.e., the rp- and r-processes) remain largely untested. This award will fund the participation of this group in an initial experiment that has been approved for a direct mass measurement of proton drip-line nuclei relevant to the astrophysical rp-process. This work involves an international collaboration in nuclear astrophysics at the RIKEN Radioactive Ion Beam Factory (RIBF). Future experiments are planned to directly measure the masses of neutron-rich nuclei relevant to the r-process of nucleosynthesis, as well as experiments to measure nuclear structure far from stability. Experiments involving very exotic nuclei are made possible by the high intensities of the RIBF. As broader impacts of the program, both graduate and undergraduate students will participate in the program, providing exposure to science at an international level. An international collaboration will be engaged in the proposed work, and an American presence will be established at what is currently the most powerful heavy ion accelerator on the planet.