Studies in Nuclear Physics and Fundamental Interactions at Indiana University

现在公认的事实是，质子和中子是由夸克和胶子组成的。这项由该奖项支持的研究调查了质子的一种称为自旋的性质是如何在其各部分之间分布的。目标是提取胶子对质子自旋的贡献，并将其与理论预测进行比较。该小组还将根据对称性原理寻找可能存在强相互作用物质的迹象。例如，中微子与原子核的相互作用对于理解超新星爆炸很重要。此外，该小组将测量自由中子的寿命，因为这是测试大爆炸元素创造理论的重要输入。更具体地说，该奖项支持的研究调查：(1)质子的自旋如何在其各部分之间分布。当自旋排列的高能质子束在布鲁克海文国家实验室的相对论重离子对撞机的恒星探测器中碰撞时发出的粒子可以揭示质子的自旋有多少是由胶子携带的，或者是由不同类型的夸克和反夸克携带的。该小组将寻找胶子对质子自旋的贡献，并探索反夸克之间的自旋差异。他们还将测量极化夸克如何转变为介子和重子，并寻找强相互作用物质打破镜像对称性的迹象；(2)原子核中的中微子与大量中子和质子的性质和相互作用：这对理解超新星爆炸很重要；(3)自由中子的寿命：这是检验元素创造的大爆炸理论的重要输入；以及(4)中子是否具有目前还不在我们的力量清单中的奇异相互作用。该小组的研究活动将有助于培养下一代熟练的博士科学家，为研究和教学大学、工业和国家实验室以及医疗和计算机技术工作。调查人员共同组织并在暑期学校授课。他们参加了NSF REU计划。他们指导他们的博士后，为他们未来进入教学和研究机构以及科学界提供便利。他们开发强调核技术的本科生实验室，带本科生进行实地考察，并协助鼓励大学前参与印第安纳大学科学课程的项目。他们通过工作或项目吸引聪明的年轻本科生进入科学领域，这些工作或项目培养他们在研究生院取得成功所需的研究技能。他们通过各种活动接触当地社区，通过参观当地高中科学课，在当地科学博览会和州科学奥林匹克竞赛中担任评委，并在印第安纳州博览会上展示物理演示，唤起学生对当地公立学校系统的兴趣。他们积极招募女性和少数族裔申请者担任集团和物理系的所有级别的职位，方法是在遴选委员会任职，为妇女寻找教员和研究奖学金。他们致力于通过实验室参观和开放参观演讲、科学咖啡馆讨论、电台采访和当地媒体的新闻稿，向广大公众宣传他们的活动。

It is now a well established fact that the proton and neutron are made from constituents known as quarks and gluons. The research supported by this award investigates how a property of the proton called spin is distributed among its parts. The goal is to extract the gluon contribution to the spin of the proton and compare this with theoretical predictions. The group will also search for indications that strongly interacting matter is expected based on symmetry principles. For example, interactions of neutrinos with nuclei is important for the understanding of supernova explosions. In addition, this group will measure the lifetime of the free neutron, since this is important input to test the Big Bang theory of element creation.More specifically, the research supported by this award investigates: (1) How the spin of the proton is distributed among its parts. Particles emitted when high-energy beams of spin-aligned protons collide in the STAR detector at Brookhaven National Laboratory's Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider can reveal how much of the proton's spin is carried by its gluons or by different types of quarks and anti-quarks. The group will search for the gluon contribution to the spin of the proton and explore spin differences among antiquarks. They will also measure how polarized quarks turn into mesons and baryons and search for indications that strongly interacting matter breaks mirror symmetry;(2) The properties and interactions of neutrinos in nuclei with a large number of neutrons and protons: this is important for the understanding of supernova explosions; (3) How long the free neutron lives: this is important input to test the Big Bang theory of element creation; and (4) whether or not neutrons possess exotic interactions that are not (yet) a part of our current list of forces.The research activities of the group will contribute toward educating the next generation of skilled PhD scientists for jobs in research and teaching universities, industry and national labs, and medical and computer technology. The investigators co-organize and lecture at summer schools. They participate in the NSF REU program. They mentor their postdocs to facilitate their future entry into teaching and research institutions and the scientific community. They develop undergraduate laboratories emphasizing nuclear technology, bring undergraduates on field trips and assist with programs that encourage pre-college participation in the Indiana University science curriculum. They engage bright young undergraduates in science through jobs or projects, which develop the research skills they will need for success in graduate school. They reach out to the local community through a variety of activities to awaken the interest of students in the local public school system by visiting local high school science classes, acting as judges in local science fairs and for the State Science Olympiad, and presenting physics demonstrations at the Indiana State Fair. They actively recruit female and minority applicants for positions at all levels within the group and the physics department by serving on selection committees for faculty searches and research fellowships for women. They work to make their activities known to the public at large through laboratory tours and Open House presentations, science cafe discussions, radio interviews, and press releases in the local media.