Experimental Nuclear Physics and Fundamental Interactions at Indiana University

印第安纳大学实验核物理和基本相互作用

• 批准号: 1306942
• 负责人: William Snow
• 金额: $ 525万
• 依托单位: Indiana University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2013
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2013-08-01 至 2017-03-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1306942&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Experimental; Nuclear; Physics; Fundamental; Interactions

The research supported by this award investigates: (1) How the spin of the proton is distributed among its parts. Particles emitted when high-energy beams of spin-aligned protons collide in the STAR detector at Brookhaven National Laboratory's Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider can reveal how much of the proton's spin is carried by its gluons or by different types of quarks and anti-quarks. The group will search for the gluon contribution to the spin of the proton and explore spin differences among antiquarks. They will also measure how polarized quarks turn into mesons and baryons and search for indications that strongly interacting matter breaks mirror symmetry;(2) The properties and interactions of neutrinos. Neutrinos can change from one form to another, but all the evidence doesn't quite fit at low energies. They will study the reasons for the larger-than-expected neutrino interactions they have measured; (3) How strong the weak force really is. They will gain new insights by observing the angular distribution of the particles created when a neutron decays, and by testing whether nature respects mirror symmetry as neutrons get captured in hydrogen; and (4) What are the properties of the early universe. They will sharpen theoretical predictions of the amount of helium left over in the Big Bang by measuring the decay rate of the neutron.Their research activities educate the next generation of skilled PhD scientists for jobs in research and teaching universities, industry and national labs, and medical and computer technology. They redirected their cyclotrons to form the Midwest Proton Radiotherapy Institute, which has treated more than 1000 cancer patients. They co-organize and lecture at summer schools. They participate in the NSF REU program. They mentor their postdocs to facilitate their future entry into teaching and research institutions and the scientific community. They develop undergraduate laboratories emphasizing nuclear technology, bring undergraduates on field trips and assist with programs that encourage pre-college participation in the Indiana University science curriculum. They engage bright young undergraduates in science through jobs or projects which develop the research skills they will need for success in graduate school. They reach out to the local community through a variety of activities to awaken the interest of students in our local public school system by visiting local high school science classes, acting as judges in local science fairs and for the State Science Olympiad, and presenting physics demonstrations at the Indiana State Fair. They actively recruit female and minority applicants for positions at all levels within the group and the physics department by serving on selection committees for faculty searches and research fellowships for women. They work to make their activities known to the public at large through laboratory tours and Open House presentations, science cafe discussions, radio interviews, and press releases in the local media.

该奖项支持的研究调查：（1）质子的自旋如何在其部分之间分布。当高能自旋对齐质子束在布鲁克海文国家实验室相对论重离子对撞机的星星探测器中碰撞时发射出的粒子可以揭示质子的自旋有多少是由其胶子或不同类型的夸克和反夸克携带的。该小组将寻找胶子对质子自旋的贡献，并探索反夸克之间的自旋差异。他们还将测量极化夸克如何转变为介子和重子，并寻找强相互作用物质打破镜像对称的迹象;（2）中微子的性质和相互作用。中微子可以从一种形式变成另一种形式，但所有的证据都不太适合低能量。他们将研究他们测量到的中微子相互作用大于预期的原因;（3）弱力到底有多强。 他们将通过观察中子衰变时产生的粒子的角分布，以及通过测试中子被氢俘获时自然界是否尊重镜像对称性，获得新的见解;（4）早期宇宙的性质是什么。他们将通过测量中子的衰变率来加强对大爆炸中剩余氦量的理论预测。他们的研究活动为下一代熟练的博士科学家提供教育，以便在研究和教学大学，工业和国家实验室以及医疗和计算机技术中工作。他们改变回旋加速器的方向，成立了中西部质子放射治疗研究所，已经治疗了1000多名癌症患者。他们在暑期学校共同组织和讲课。他们参加了NSF REU计划。他们指导他们的博士后，以促进他们未来进入教学和研究机构和科学界。他们开发强调核技术的本科生实验室，让本科生进行实地考察，并协助鼓励大学前参与印第安纳州大学科学课程的计划。他们通过工作或项目吸引聪明的年轻本科生从事科学研究，这些工作或项目培养了他们在研究生院取得成功所需的研究技能。他们通过各种活动接触当地社区，通过参观当地高中科学课程，担任当地科学博览会和国家科学奥林匹克竞赛的评委，并在印第安纳州博览会上展示物理演示，唤醒学生对我们当地公立学校系统的兴趣。他们积极招募女性和少数民族申请人在集团和物理系内的各级职位，通过担任选拔委员会的教师搜索和研究奖学金的妇女。他们通过实验室图尔斯参观和开放日演讲、科学咖啡馆讨论、电台采访和当地媒体的新闻稿，努力使公众了解他们的活动。