University of the West of Scotland Nuclear Physics Group Consolidated Grant

尽管经过了一个多世纪的紧张的实验和理论研究，核多体量子系统仍然是一个挑战。在接下来的一个世纪里，加速器和探测器技术的许多进步使核物理成为一项处于科学研究前沿的国际活动。在过去的几十年里，对远离稳定谷的奇异原子核的性质的研究已经取得了相当大的实验进展。本综合拨款申请中描述的研究方案包括对远离稳定性的原子核的结构和性质的研究，以及对稳定核中的集体行为的研究，这一点仍然知之甚少。在理论计算的支持下，最近的实验观察表明，奇异核的结构可能与接近稳定的核的结构不同。众所周知的幻数序列，对应于核壳结构中的能隙，现在被认为是随着中子的极端过剩而在原子核中发生变化。在中子数N=20附近，这种变化的证据已经令人信服，预计在N=28、50和82的其他壳层间隙中也会有类似的影响。为了提供核模型的测试，需要实验数据。在这方面，我们将重点关注Sn100(N=Z=50)附近的富质子核。描述原子核时，一个重要的考虑因素是它的形状。众所周知，填充了中子和质子壳层的原子核是球形的，而壳层部分填充的原子核可以变形。一种奇异的形变形式是当原子核呈现出反射不对称的“梨形”形状时。这种八极形变在核图的局部区域最为突出，如轻鳗系元素区(A224的镭、钍、铀原子核)和Ba144附近的镧系元素。在我们的研究计划中，我们将对原子核中的八极形变进行全面的研究，重点是榄系元素和镧系元素区域，以及N=Z=56附近的富质子核。加速器和探测器技术的最新发展现在将允许进行新类型的实验，以提供对这种新型变形的新见解。在我们的研究计划中，我们将对原子核中的八极关联进行全面的研究，重点是榄系元素和镧系元素区域，以及N=Z=56附近的富质子核。违反镜像对称性的梨形允许寻找造成存在的物质-反物质对称性破坏的物理。高功率激光系统现在提供了一种产生和加速粒子的新方法。将它们的光束聚焦在小区域会产生能量密度极高的体积，在这些体积中可能会发生核反应，或者会发射出高强度的带电粒子束。我们的部分研究将利用这一新的技术发展来探索核物理的一些方面，这些方面是传统方法无法实现的。我们的研究将使用各种不同的实验技术进行。例如，我们将在Isolde进行库仑激发实验，在JYFL进行电子-伽马符合谱和寿命测量，并在罗马尼亚Magurele的新ELI-NP设施进行激光诱导的核反应。申请的资金将为博士后研究助理和博士后学生提供支持，以帮助开展这项工作，并提供旅费和生活费。我们还申请了资金，使世界领先的理论核物理学家能够访问我们的小组，帮助解释我们的结果，并为我们的实验研究计划提供重要的理论投入。

Despite more than a century of intense experimental and theoretical research, the nuclear many-body quantum system remains a challenge. In the century that has followed, numerous advances in accelerator and detector technology have firmly established nuclear physics as an international activity at the forefront of scientific research. In the past few decades, the quest to understand the properties of exotic nuclei ever further from the valley of stability has led to considerable experimental progress. The programme of research described in this Consolidated Grant application covers research into the structure and properties of atomic nuclei lying far from stability and collective behaviour in stable nuclei which remains poorly understood. Recent experimental observations, supported by theoretical calculations, have suggested that the structure of exotic nuclei may be different from those near stability. The well-known sequence of magic numbers, corresponding to energy gaps in nuclear shell structure, is now thought to change in nuclei with an extreme excess of neutrons. The evidence for such a change is already convincing around neutron number N=20, and similar effects are expected for the other shell gaps at N=28, 50, and 82. In order to provide a test of nuclear models, experimental data are needed. In this respect, we will focus on the proton-rich nuclei around Sn100 (N=Z=50). An important consideration in the description of an atomic nucleus is its shape. It is well established that nuclei with filled shells of neutrons and protons are spherical, and nuclei with partially-filled shells can become deformed. An exotic form of deformation is when the nucleus takes on a reflection-asymmetric "pear" shape. Such octupole deformation is most prominent in localized regions of the nuclear chart, such as the light actinide region (radium, thorium, uranium nuclei with A~224) and lanthanides near barium-144. In our research programme, we will make a comprehensive study of octupole deformation in nuclei, focusing on the actinide and lanthanide regions, as well as the proton-rich nuclei near N=Z=56. Recent developments in accelerator and detector technology will now allow new types of experiments to be performed to provide new insights into this novel type of deformation. In our research programme, we will make a comprehensive study of octupole correlations in nuclei, focusing on the actinide and lanthanide regions, as well as the proton-rich nuclei near N=Z=56. The mirror-symmetry-violating pear shape allows for the search for physics that is responsible for the existent matter-antimatter symmetry violation. High-powered laser systems are now offering a new method of producing and accelerating particles. Focussing their beams on small areas creates volumes with extreme high energy densities, in which nuclear reactions can happen or from which intense beams of charged particles are emitted. Parts of our research will exploit this novel technical development to explore aspects of nuclear physics which are not possible by conventional means. Our research will performed using varius different experimental techniques. For example, we will carry out Coulomb-excitation experiments at ISOLDE, electron-gamma coincidence spectroscopy and lifetime measurements at JYFL, and laser-induced nuclear reactions at the new ELI-NP facility in Magurele, Romania. The requested funds will provide support for postdoctoral research associates and PhD students to help carry out this work, as well as funds for travel and subsistence. We have also requested funds to enable world leading theoretical nuclear physicists to visit our group to help with the interpretation of our results, and to provide important theoretical input into our experimental research programme.