Using Fast Neutrons to Explore Nuclear Structure

肯塔基州大学的核结构研究主要集中在核光谱学、中子诱导反应和中子散射的相关课题上。 这项工作的大部分将利用该大学加速器设施产生的快中子以及该实验室独特的伽马射线和中子探测能力;目前正在与其他几个机构的同事进行补充性的合作研究，预计这些合作将继续下去。 中子散射实验主要面向探索近球形核中四极和八极类型的多声子振动激发，研究集体激发中磁偶极和电偶极跃迁的单独作用，定义质子和中子在集体模式中的作用，并了解核壳结构和核形状转变的性质。 弱形变核中混合对称态的声子耦合激发是一种新型的集体模，其特性研究将受到高度重视。 一个新的方向是使用更高能量的中子来产生带电粒子聚变-蒸发反应不容易获得的最终核。 使用多普勒频移衰减方法和伽马-伽马符合测量确定寿命，在我们的实验室中已经开发了这些方法，将在许多这些研究中发挥至关重要的作用。 中子散射研究有助于阐明中子激发和其他探测器之间的差异，将补充集体激发微观基础的研究。 精心挑选的其他领域的研究，例如，核天体物理学和轻核的性质，这是特别适合的能力和设施在肯塔基州大学加速器实验室将继续进行。 教育仍然是我们实验室所有活动的重要组成部分，并努力为肯塔基州大学的核科学本科生，研究生和研究生教育提供良好的工作环境。

Research in nuclear structure at the University of Kentucky is focussed on related topics in nuclear spectroscopy, neutron-induced reactions, and neutron scattering. Most of this work will utilize fast neutrons produced at the University's accelerator facility and the unique gamma-ray and neutron detection capabilities of this laboratory; complementary, collaborative research with colleagues at several other institutions is in progress and these collaborations are expected to continue. Neutron scattering experiments are primarily oriented toward exploring multiphonon vibrational excitations of the quadrupole and octupole types in nearly spherical nuclei, examining the separate roles of magnetic and electric dipole transitions in collective excitations, defining the roles of protons and neutrons in collective modes, and understanding nuclear shell structure and the nature of nuclear shape transitions. The characterization of phonon-coupled excitations of mixed-symmetry states, a new type of collective mode, in weakly deformed nuclei will receive a high priority. A new direction is the use of higher-energy neutrons to produce final nuclei that are not readily accessible with charged-particle fusion-evaporation reactions. Lifetime determinations with the Doppler-shift attenuation method and gamma-gamma coincidence measurements, for which the methodologies have been developed in our laboratory, will play crucial roles in many of these studies. Neutron scattering studies, which aid in elucidating the differences between neutron excitation and other probes, will complement studies of the microscopic basis of collective excitations. Carefully selected studies in other areas, e.g., nuclear astrophysics and the properties of light nuclei, which are particularly appropriate to the capabilities and facilities at the University of Kentucky accelerator laboratory will be pursued. Education continues to be an important component of all activities in our laboratory, and efforts to provide an excellent working environment for undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate education in nuclear science at the University of Kentucky will be made.