Probing Nuclear Structure and Shape Coexistence with Fast Neutrons

原子核太小了，人眼无法看到;然而，它的性质和结构可以用肯塔基州大学加速器实验室（UKAL）开发的方法进行检查。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，这是待研究的原子核的特征。从这些伽马射线中可以得到原子核的图像，并了解组成原子核的中子和质子如何在其中相互作用。此外，各级学生都有机会参加这些研究。项目参与者获得实践经验，并成为训练有素的核科学家，能够为我们国家的能源，医疗和安全需求做出重要贡献。UKAL研究计划的主要目的是及时解决核结构问题和核科学相关领域的突出问题。这个基础广泛的研究计划包括几个前沿领域的选定研究：与无中微子双β衰变相关的核结构;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聚束单能快中子，用于非弹性散射实验，以研究原子核中的低能集体模式。通过散射反应，可以获得在其他设施中无法获得的信息。实验室的实验创新包括发展在快中子非弹性散射后用多普勒频移衰减法测量重核寿命的能力。这些进展使我们有可能解决重要的问题，并在核结构物理和相关领域做出有意义的贡献。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补充实验。各级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知识价值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.