Nuclear physics is a research area focused on the structure, dynamics, and interactions of atomic nuclei and their constituent nucleons, governed primarily by the strong and weak nuclear forces within the framework of quantum many-body and quantum field theories. It investigates phenomena such as nuclear binding, excitations, decay modes, and reactions, including fission, fusion, and nucleosynthesis. The field encompasses experimental and theoretical studies of stable and exotic nuclei, hadronic matter under extreme conditions, and the emergence of collective behavior from underlying nucleon–nucleon interactions, often employing accelerators, detectors, and advanced computational methods to probe fundamental properties of nuclear systems and refine effective interaction models.
The word magic is not often used in the context of science. But in the early 1930s, scientists discovered that some atomic nuclei—the center part of atoms, which make up all matter—were more stable than others. These ...
General Physics
Oct 8, 2024
1
32
A significant advancement in nuclear-data analysis has been achieved, which is relevant for several key areas, ranging from particle and nuclear physics to clean energy and health care. Researchers have developed a new tool ...
General Physics
Oct 3, 2024
0
25
Researchers have introduced a model based on the Langevin equation that offers new insights into the formation of exotic nuclei. This development could enhance the ability to produce rare isotopes that are valuable for various ...
General Physics
Sep 30, 2024
0
18
In an article recently published in Physical Review X, the ALICE collaboration presented its studies of correlations in the kaon–deuteron and proton–deuteron systems, opening the door to precise studies of the forces ...
General Physics
Sep 25, 2024
0
86
The world keeps time with the ticks of atomic clocks, but a new type of clock under development—a nuclear clock—could revolutionize how we measure time and probe fundamental physics.
General Physics
Sep 4, 2024
3
149
Adding or removing neutrons from an atomic nucleus leads to changes in the size of the nucleus. This in turn causes tiny changes in the energy levels of the atom's electrons, known as isotope shifts. Scientists can use precision ...
General Physics
Aug 13, 2024
0
169
An important part of physics research is examining why theoretical calculations and experimental results sometimes don't match. A recent experiment in Germany studied the helium-4 nucleus, also known as an alpha particle. ...
General Physics
Jul 25, 2024
0
7
The world around us is made up of particles invisible to the naked eye, but physicists continue to gain insights into this mysterious realm. Findings published in Physical Review C by Osaka Metropolitan University researchers ...
General Physics
Jul 19, 2024
6
109
For the first time, an international research team has succeeded in observing a two-photon decay on a so-called bare atomic nucleus from which the entire electron shell has been removed.
General Physics
Jul 17, 2024
0
38
While nuclear physicists know the strong interaction is what holds together the particles at the heart of matter, we still have a lot to learn about this fundamental force. Results published earlier this year in Physical ...
General Physics
Jul 16, 2024
0
128
