Edinburgh Nuclear Physics Consolidated Grant 2024-27

我们的研究项目旨在回答恒星中元素的起源、恒星爆炸的过程以及原子核在极限存在下的行为等关键开放性问题。天体物理反应和核性质的实验研究需要尖端的仪器和适合稳定、中子和放射性离子束的设施，以及离子阱和衰变光谱仪。该集团具有独特的优势，可以在世界领先的实验室中利用这些能力，并在开发创新仪器以满足不同反应和核性质研究的独特要求方面拥有良好的记录。在即将到来的拨款期内，我们将在月球地下设施启动一项反应研究计划，以调查第一代恒星中碳、氮和氧同位素的起源，并探索早期重元素合成的替代中子源。同样在月球上，我们将利用最近安装的一个新的3.5MV加速器来研究太阳核心金属丰度、大质量恒星中的碳聚变以及慢中子捕获过程中的中子源反应等悬而未决的问题。在n_TOF （CERN）中子束设施，我们将领导一个丰富的中子诱导反应测量项目，例如探索被认为是导致岩石系外行星发热的放射性40K的起源，阐明具有特殊丰度的Si和S同位素的稀有前太阳星尘颗粒的起源，以及研究宇宙伽马射线发射器26Al在大质量恒星中的破坏。我们计划对放射性样品进行具有挑战性的中子活化测量，以帮助解释某些金属贫乏恒星的丰度，以及自然界最稀有的同位素180mTa的起源。同样在欧洲核子研究中心，我们计划改进我们之前对44ti毁灭的研究，以阐明大质量恒星超新星爆炸的最后阶段。储存环将提供改变游戏规则的机会，通过提高光束纯度和强度来研究与爆炸性天体物理场景相关的放射性同位素的反应，否则在世界上其他任何地方都无法获得。在GSI的实验存储环，我们将探索一些轻p核的起源，其丰度在核心坍缩和Ia型超新星的恒星模型中一直是不足的。该小组已批准利用最近委托爱丁堡建造的CARME探测系统在CRYRING储存环进行实验，以研究新星爆炸的关键反应。由于已经在TRIUMF上批准了光束时间，我们将研究涉及18F（来自新星的主要宇宙射线发射器）产生的反应，以及在x射线爆发中从热cno周期爆发的反应。该集团开发了最先进的离子阱和放射性衰变检测系统，用于研究核景观广泛领域的外来核的质量和衰变特性。在资助期间，我们将领导一个项目，对靠近封闭壳层的富中子轻核进行高精度质量测量，作为现代核理论的独特试验台。对富中子重核的进一步质量测量将为r过程中的爆炸核合成提供约束。这些研究将通过利用独特的实验能力，包括爱丁堡建造的AIDA装置，在稀土区域进行原子核的衰变测量，以补充理研的研究。质子滴注线附近的质量测量将揭示核结合的极限，而阿贡的质子和α衰变研究将为核形状对量子隧穿速率的影响提供独特的见解。在爱丁堡开发的新型离子捕获装置，我们将研究具有超越标准模型和医学应用的物理潜力的奇异衰变模式和放射性分子。

Our research program seeks to answer key open questions on the origin of the elements in stars, the processes responsible for stellar explosions, and the behaviour of nuclei at the limits of existence.The experimental study of astrophysical reactions and nuclear properties requires cutting-edge instrumentation and suitable facilities for stable-, neutron-, and radioactive ion beams, as well as ion traps and decay spectrometers. The Group is uniquely well placed to exploit these capabilities at world-leading laboratories and has a strong track record in developing innovative instrumentation to match the unique requirements of different reaction- and nuclear properties studies. Over the coming grant period we will initiate a program of reaction studies at the LUNA underground facility to investigate the origin of carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen isotopes in first-generation stars and to explore alternative neutron sources for the early synthesis of heavy elements. Also at LUNA, we will exploit the recent installation of a new 3.5MV accelerator to investigate open questions on the core metallicity of the Sun, carbon fusion in massive stars, and neutron source reactions for the slow-neutron capture process. At the n_TOF (CERN) neutron beam facility, we will lead a rich program of neutron-induced reaction measurements, for example to explore the origin of radioactive 40K, believed to be responsible for heat generation in rocky exoplanets, elucidate the origin of rare pre-solar stardust grains with peculiar abundances of Si and S isotopes, and study the destruction of the cosmic gamma ray emitter 26Al in massive stars. We plan challenging neutron activation measurements on radioactive samples to help explain abundances of certain metal poor stars, and the origin of nature's rarest isotope 180mTa. Also at CERN, we plan to improve on our previous investigations of 44Ti-destruction to shed light on the final stages of supernovae explosions of massive stars. Storage rings will provide game-changing opportunities to study reactions with radioactive isotopes relevant to explosive astrophysical scenarios, by delivering both increased beam purity and intensities otherwise unavailable anywhere else in the world. At the Experimental Storage Ring at GSI we will explore the origin of some light p-nuclei, whose abundances are consistently underproduced by stellar models of core-collapse and type Ia supernovae. The Group has approved experiments to exploit the recently commissioned Edinburgh-built CARME detection system at the CRYRING storage ring to study key reactions of novae explosions. With beamtime already approved at TRIUMF we will investigate reactions involved in the production of 18F, a main cosmic-ray emitter from novae, and in the break-out from the Hot-CNO cycle in X-ray bursts.The Group has developed state of the art ion traps and radioactive decay detection systems to investigate masses and decay properties of exotic nuclei across wide areas of the nuclear landscape. Over the grant period, we will lead a program of high-precision mass measurements of neutron-rich light nuclei near closed shells as unique testbeds for modern nuclear theories. Further mass measurements of neutron-rich heavy nuclei will provide constraints to explosive nucleosynthesis in the r-process. Such studies will be complemented at RIKEN by decay measurements of nuclei in the rare-earth region by exploiting unique experimental capabilities including the Edinburgh-built AIDA device.Mass measurements near the proton-drip line will shed light on the limits of nuclear binding, while proton and alpha decay studies at Argonne will offer unique insights into the effect of nuclear shape on quantum tunnelling rates. With novel ion trapping devices developed in Edinburgh we will investigate exotic decay modes and radioactive molecules with potential for physics beyond the standard model and medical applications.