RUI: Probing the Density and Momentum Dependence of the Nucleon Isovector Potential in Neutron-Rich Nuclear Matter with Heavy-Ion Reactions

我们对富中子核物质的性质，特别是核对称能的密度依赖性的了解，对于理解核物理、天体物理和宇宙学中的许多关键问题是很重要的。核子等向量势的密度和动量依赖是决定富中子核物质性质的最基本但目前知之甚少的量。重离子反应，特别是高能放射束引起的重离子反应，为我们提供了在地面实验室中研究富中子核物质性质的独特手段。与美国和国外几个放射性束流设施所做的实验工作相配合，我将开发新的理论工具来探索等矢量核子势和相应的对称能的密度和动量相关性的特征；继续为实验的计划和数据分析提供理论帮助；并及时评估受最新地面核实验室数据约束的对称能量的天体物理影响。在进行拟议的工作时，我将仔细地将我的研究与学生的教育结合起来。几名本科生和研究生将参与实施拟议的工作。我将强调并鼓励本科生尽早参与研究。这一经历不仅对他们的完成教育起到了至关重要的作用，而且为他们成为下一代科学家和工程师提供了坚实的基础。此外，NSF的持续资助还将有助于显著改善德克萨斯农工大学商业学院的研究环境和基础设施，特别是在核物理和天体物理学方面。

Our knowledge of properties of neutron-rich nuclear matter, especially the density dependence of nuclear symmetry energy, is important for understanding many critical issues in nuclear physics, astrophysics and cosmology. The density and momentum dependence of the nucleon isovector potential is the most fundamental but currently very poorly known quantity determining properties of neutron-rich nuclear matter. Heavy-ion reactions, especially those induced by high energy radioactive beams, provide us the unique means to investigate properties of neutron-rich nuclear matter in terrestrial laboratories. In concert with the experimental efforts undertaken at several radioactive beam facilities in the US and abroad, I shall develop new theoretical tools to explore signatures of the density and momentum dependence of the isovector nucleon potential and the corresponding symmetry energy; continue to provide theoretical assistances in planning and data analyses of experiments; and evaluate timely astrophysical impact of the symmetry energy constrained by the latest terrestrial nuclear laboratory data.While carrying out the proposed work, I will carefully integrate my research and the education of students. Several undergraduate and graduate students will participate in carrying out the proposed work. I will emphasize and encourage early involvement of undergraduate students in research. This experience not only plays a vital role in their complete education but also provides a solid basis for them to become next generation scientists and engineers. Moreover, the continued NSF funding will also help significantly improve the environment and infrastructure for research, especially in nuclear physics and astrophysics, at Texas A&M University-Commerce.