Probing Nuclear Structure and Shape Coexistence with Fast Neutrons

原子核太小了，肉眼看不见；然而，它的性质和结构可以用肯塔基大学加速器实验室(UKAL)开发的方法来检查。在UKAL，该团队使用粒子加速器来产生中子，这些中子又被用来产生伽马射线，这是要研究的原子核的特征。从这些伽马射线中，有可能形成原子核的图像，并了解组成原子核的中子和质子是如何在其中相互作用的。此外，各级学生都有机会参加这些学习。该计划的参与者将获得实践经验，并成为训练有素的核科学家，他们能够为我们的国家能源、医疗和安全需求做出重要贡献。英国航空公司研究计划的主要目的是解决核结构方面的及时问题和核科学相关领域的突出问题。这一基础广泛的研究计划包括几个前沿领域的精选研究：与无中微子双β衰变相关的核结构；正在经历形状转变的核；核形状共存。该实验室的一个独特优势是能够产生高质量的、时间集束的单能快中子，用于非弹性散射实验，以研究原子核中的低能集体模。通过散射反应，可以获得在其他设施中无法获得的信息。实验室中的实验创新包括开发了在快中子非弹性散射后用多普勒频移衰减法测量重原子核寿命的能力。这些进展使解决核结构物理和相关领域的重要问题和作出有意义的贡献成为可能。该团队还开辟了其他研究领域，并与其他核加速器实验室的合作者进行了互补实验。所有级别的教育仍然是这些实验室活动的重点，小型加速器实验室的研究允许每天指导年轻科学家。该奖项反映了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。

The atomic nucleus is much too small to be visible with the human eye; however, its properties and structure can be examined with methods developed at the University of Kentucky Accelerator Laboratory (UKAL). At UKAL, the team employs a particle accelerator to produce neutrons that are in turn used to create gamma rays, which are characteristic of the nuclei to be studied. From these gamma rays it is possible to develop an image of the nucleus and gain an understanding of how the neutrons and protons comprising the nucleus interact within it. In addition, students at all levels are provided with opportunities to participate in these studies. Program participants receive hands-on experience and emerge as well-trained nuclear scientists who are capable of important contributions to our national energy, medical, and security needs.The primary aim of the research program at UKAL is to address timely questions in nuclear structure and outstanding problems in related areas of nuclear science. This broad-based research program includes selected studies in several forefront areas: nuclear structure relevant to neutrinoless double-beta decay; nuclei undergoing shape transitions; nuclear shape coexistence. A unique advantage of the laboratory is the capability of producing high-quality, time-bunched mono-energetic fast neutrons for inelastic scattering experiments to investigate low-energy collective modes in nuclei. With the scattering reaction, it is possible to obtain information which is not accessible at other facilities. Experimental innovations in the laboratory include the development of capabilities for measuring lifetimes in heavy nuclei with the Doppler-shift attenuation method following the inelastic scattering of the fast neutrons. These advances have made it possible to address important questions and make meaningful contributions in nuclear structure physics and related areas. The team has also opened other areas of study and engaged in complementary experiments with collaborators at other nuclear accelerator laboratories. Education at all levels continues to be an emphasis in these laboratory activities, and research at a small accelerator laboratory permits the mentoring of young scientists daily.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.