MRI: Acquisition of Si(Li) Detectors and Two BGO Compton Suppression Shields for the Development of the La Crosse fIREBAll

该奖项为威斯康星大学拉克罗斯分校(UWL)提供支持，将现有的冰球阵列升级为拉克罗斯内部转换电子球阵列(Fireball)，使其有能力探索核科学中一些最重要的悬而未决的问题。其中一个问题是核科学咨询委员会在2015年发现的：元素的来源是什么？其他问题包括探索理论模型如何描述轻核、低能级以及变形核中的各种自由度。这台新仪器将是对核科学的重大补充，也是美国唯一的此类探测器阵列。此外，Fireball将为主要是本科院校的科学家和学生提供使用尖端核科学设施的机会，并将为无数美国学生的教育和培训做出贡献。这是一个独特的机会，可以培训学生各种研究和开发技能，包括使用各种探测器、故障排除、收集和分析数据，以及在协作环境中传播结果。这些技能可用于促进国家健康、福利和国防安全的职业。这项重大研究仪器(MRI)拨款将创建一种测量转换电子与伽马射线符合的仪器，同时支持对多名本科生进行先进探测器技术的培训。升级包括购买六个新的硅(锂)探测器，为两个现有的锗伽马射线探测器购买两个反康普顿比兹穆特锗(BGO)屏蔽。带有康普顿抑制的Ge探测器的新火球将是一个强大的工具，可以揭开核结构(变形核中0+态的性质，测试轻核中从头理论模型预测的性质)和核天体物理学(影响恒星演化的霍尔态和其他阿尔法团簇成分的性质)方面的一些最突出的挑战。这项新工具将大大增强国家的能力，并将为威斯康星大学拉克罗斯分校(UWL)和其他主要本科机构(PUI)的学生提供新的机会，包括印第安纳大学南本德(IUSB)和印第安纳卫斯理大学(IWU)。这一奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

This award provides support for the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse (UWL), a primary undergraduate institution, to upgrade the existing ICEBall array into the La Crosse Internal conveRsion Electron Ball Array (fIREBAll) so that it has the capabilities to probe some of the most important unsolved questions in nuclear science. One of these questions was identified by the Nuclear Science Advisory Committee in 2015: what is the origin of the elements? Other questions include exploring how theoretical models describe light nuclei, low-lying energy levels, and the various degrees of freedom in deformed nuclei. The new instrument will be a significant addition to nuclear science and the only detector array of its type in the USA. In addition, fIREBAll will provide scientists and students at primarily undergraduate institutions access to cutting-edge nuclear science facilities and will contribute to the education and training of numerous US students. This is a unique opportunity to train students in various research and development skills including using various detectors, troubleshooting, gathering and analyzing data, and the disseminating results in a collaborative environment. These skills are transferable to careers which advance the national health, welfare, and secure national defense.The funds from this Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) grant will create an instrument for the measurements of conversion electrons in coincidence with gamma rays, while supporting the training of multiple undergraduate students in advanced detector techniques. The upgrade includes the purchase of six new Si(Li) detectors, two anti-Compton Bizmuth Germanate (BGO) shields for two existing Germanium gamma-ray detectors. The new fIREBAll with Compton suppressed Ge detectors will be a powerful tool to unravel some of the most outstanding challenges in nuclear structure (the nature of 0+ states in deformed nuclei, testing ab-initio theoretical model predictions in light nuclei) and nuclear astrophysics (the nature of the Hoyle state and other alpha cluster components in light nuclei effecting stellar evolution). The new instrument will be a significant addition to the capabilities of the nation and will open new opportunities for students from the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse (UWL) and other primarily undergraduate institutions (PUIs), including Indiana University South Bend (IUSB) and Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU).This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.