Nuclear Physics Consolidated Grant

核物理学是对位于所有原子中心的重而微小的原子核的研究，它占我们所看到的一切的99.9%。原子核形成了一个引人入胜的研究实验室，介于包含少量粒子的系统和包含数千个粒子的系统的极端之间，这些系统的性质可以通过统计方法进行处理。事实上，原子核是一个独特的介观量子系统，它由两种相互作用的费米子组成，其中潜在的作用力鲜为人知。因此，它为试图预测原子核性质的模型提供了一个极其重要的试验场。原子核中的单个质子和中子可以强烈地决定整个原子核的性质。尽管核物理是一个成熟的领域，但它提出了一系列极具挑战性的问题，最近加速放射性束流的出现使这一研究领域重新焕发活力。越来越重要的是将我们对核物理的理解应用于天体物理问题，在天体物理问题中，它可以帮助理解恒星中的能量产生以及恒星爆炸中合成的重元素。目前的综合赠款代表了英国最大的核物理组织之一的共同努力。这项活动以其深度和广度而闻名，也因为我们最近成立的理论小组大力参与了支撑理论。

Nuclear Physics is the study of the heavy but tiny nucleus that lies at the centre of all atoms and makes up 99.9% by mass of everything we see. The nucleus forms a fascinating laboratory for study, falling between the extremes of systems with a handful of particles, which can be solved from first principles, and systems with thousands of particles whose properties can be treated statistically. Indeed, the nucleus is a unique mesoscopic quantal system that is composed of two types of interacting fermions in which the underlying force is poorly understood. As such it provides an extremely important testing ground for models that attempt to predict the properties of nuclei. The individual protons and neutrons in the nucleus can strongly dictate the properties of the nucleus as a whole. Although a mature field, nuclear physics poses an array of very challenging questions and the recent advent of accelerated radioactive beams has reinvigorated this research area. Increasingly important is the application of our understanding of nuclear physics to astrophysical questions, where it can help to understand energy generation in stars as well as the heavy elements synthesised in stellar explosions. The present consolidated grant represents the concerted efforts of one of the largest nuclear physics groups in the UK. The activity is notable for its depth and breadth, as well for the strong involvement of underpinning theory through our recently-established theory group.