RUI: Nuclear Physics Research at Westmont College

这个实验核物理研究计划，涉及本科生参与作为一个核心组成部分，将在韦斯特蒙学院和国家超导回旋加速器实验室（NSCL）在密歇根州立大学进行。用两种不同的方法研究了碎裂反应产生的原子核的结构。在第一个，基态的磁性短寿命的核衰变的β-发射测量使用辐射检测的核磁共振（β-NMR）。在生产之后，它们被植入位于高精度磁体中心的晶体宿主中，并且它们对交变磁场的响应通过它们的β粒子发射的方向分布来监测。在第二种方法中，通过飞行中的分裂反应，使用模块化中子阵列（莫纳）测量高富中子核的基态和激发态的性质，韦斯特蒙的学生帮助沿着来自其他9所学院和大学的学生一起建造了该阵列。向前运动的中子的能量和轨迹与带电碎片的能量和轨迹一致，带电碎片被扫掠器磁铁偏转出主束。这项研究计划将有助于推进核结构的知识，无论是接近稳定还是远离稳定，并提供尖端的本科生研究经验，帮助招募未来几代的核科学家。

This experimental nuclear physics research program, involving undergraduate student participation as a central component, will be carried out at Westmont College and at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory (NSCL) at Michigan State University. The structure of nuclei produced by fragmentation reactions is investigated using two different approaches. In the first, ground-state magnetic properties of short-lived nuclei that decay by beta-emission are measured using radiation-detected nuclear magnetic resonance (beta-NMR). After production they are implanted in a crystal host located at the center of a high-precision magnet, and their response to alternating magnetic fields is monitored via the directional distribution of their beta-particle emission. In the second approach, properties of ground and excited states of highly neutron-rich nuclei are measured via in-flight breakup reactions, using the Modular Neutron Array (MoNA), which Westmont students helped construct along with students from 9 other colleges and universities. The energies and trajectories of forward moving neutrons are measured in coincidence with the energies and trajectories of the charged fragments, which are deflected out of the main beam by a sweeper magnet. This research program will help advance knowledge of nuclear structure both near to and far from stability, and provide the type of cutting-edge undergraduate student research experiences that help recruit future generations of nuclear scientists.