Windows on the Universe: Nuclear Astrophysics Observables of Supernovae and Neutron Stars

元素的起源仍然是当今科学界最重要的问题之一。与此密切相关的是恒星燃烧问题和致密核物质的特性。该奖项将支持直接解决这些问题的研究。具体地说，这项工作涉及重元素是如何形成的，以及这些过程所涉及的密集核环境。该计划的实验工作将有助于确定中子和质子如何结合在一起形成超出正常核密度的核的密度和动量相关性，并应有助于解决各种理论计算之间的差异。收集到的数据还将有助于限制我们对中子星地壳中重元素的形成和加热的了解。铅同位素裂变势垒的测量将启动一个更大的计划来测量远离稳定性的奇异核的裂变势垒。PIS将为本科生和研究生提供广泛的技能和技术方面的直接培训，这将为学生在STEM领域具有挑战性和重要的职业生涯做好准备。拟议工作的主要目标是：(1)继续研究，以改善对FRIB中子星状态方程的动量和密度依赖性的约束，(2)建立一个利用新开发的识别奇异光束的方法来测量奇异核的裂变势垒的计划，(3)继续该小组在FRIB时代正在进行的质量测量计划，以探索与N∼70亚壳附近的r过程相关的核质量的演变，(4)通过新的实验和探测器增强，(4)进行学生运行的实验，以测量最重的p核，196汞的辐射俘获截面，(5)通过向Jr.举办关于核天体物理的公开讲座，改进科学推广计划。高级学生。该奖项致力于并推进宇宙之窗大理想的目标。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The origin of the elements remains one of the most important questions in science today. Closely tied to this are questions of stellar burning and the characteristics of dense nuclear matter. This award will support research that addresses these questions directly. Specifically, this work addresses how heavy elements were formed and the dense nuclear environment involved in those processes. The experimental work of this program will help determine the density and momentum dependence of how neutrons and protons bind together to form nuclei beyond normal nuclear density and should help to resolve discrepancies between various theoretical calculations. Data collected will also help constrain what we know about the formation of heavy elements and heating of neutron star crusts. The measurements of the fission barriers of lead isotopes will initiate a larger program to measure the fission barriers of exotic nuclei far from stability. The PIs will provide direct training to both undergraduate and graduate students in a wide range of skills and techniques, which will prepare the students for challenging and important careers in STEM fields.The main objectives addressed by the proposed work are: (1) Continue research to improve constraints on the momentum and density dependence of the equation of state of neutron stars at FRIB, (2) Establish a program to measure fission barriers of exotic nuclei using a newly developed method of identifying exotic beams, (3) Continue the group’s ongoing mass measurement program in the FRIB era to explore the evolution of nuclear masses relevant to the r-process near the N∼70 subshell with new experiments and detector enhancements, (4) Pursue a student-run experiment to measure radiative capture cross sections of the heaviest p nucleus, 196Hg, (5) Improve the scientific outreach program through public talks on nuclear astrophysics to Jr. High students.This award addresses and advances the goals of the Windows on the Universe Big Idea.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.