RUI: Electromagnetic Spectra from Subatomic Furnaces

该奖项是根据2009年美国复苏和再投资法案（公法111-5）资助的。宇宙中的大多数物体都会辐射电磁能量，我们称之为黑体辐射。物体与周围环境处于平衡状态，因此不断地发射和吸收这种能量。通过研究能量，我们可以了解物体的性质。当核科学家使用所谓的原子加速器以惊人的高能量迫使原子核聚集在一起时，高度激发的亚原子炉就会被短暂地创造出来。这些熔炉的寿命不够长，无法悠闲地释放黑体辐射。相反，它们会发出热和非热电磁辐射，类似于可见光，但能量要高得多。对辐射特性的安全而仔细的研究提供了宝贵的线索，帮助科学家们了解原子核、质子和中子、甚至是在核子内部嘎嘎作响的夸克内部的自然是如何运作的。这个项目的目标是支持那些试图生产和研究这些亚原子炉的实验努力。材料科学和计算机技术的进步使核科学家能够利用这些电磁辐射的爆发来拍摄粒子动力学的照片。通过对初学者有意义的指导，研究这些微小核系统的理论模型提供了教育和研究训练。为了激发更多年轻人对科学的兴趣，将提供讨论研究结果的公开演讲和技术演讲，特别是通过一个鼓励大学教师和高中教师和学生之间互动的地方（高三至高二）计划向该地区的高中生进行演讲。

This award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5).Most objects in the universe radiate electromagnetic energy that we call blackbody radiation. The objects are in equilibrium with their surroundings and therefore continually emit and absorb this type of energy. By studying the energy, we can learn about the properties of the objects. When nuclear scientists use the so-called atom smashers to force atomic nuclei together at impressively high energies, highly excited subatomic furnaces are briefly created. The furnaces do not live long enough to leisurely emit blackbody radiation. Instead they emit bursts of thermal and non-thermal electromagnetic radiation, similar to visible light, but at much higher energy. Safe and careful study of the properties of the radiation provides precious clues to help scientists understand how nature works within atomic nuclei, within even protons and neutrons, even down to the very quarks that rattle around inside the nucleons. The goal of this project is to support experimental endeavors which seek to produce and study these subatomic furnaces. Advances in material science and computer technology allow nuclear scientists to basically take pictures of the particle dynamics using these bursts of electromagnetic radiation. Studying theoretical models for these tiny nuclear systems provides education and research training through meaningful mentoring of beginning students. Public presentations and technical presentations will be offered discussing the results of the research to stimulate more young people toward science, especially presentations to high-school students in the region through a local (senior-to-sophomore) program which encourages interaction between university faculty and high-school teachers and students.