New research by Surrey's Nuclear Physics Group has shown that it's possible
to mimic excited quantum states with exotic nuclei, opening up a host of
opportunities for next generation radioactive beam facilities, such as the
Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB).
The results of the project—which was a collaboration between the University
of Surrey and Michigan State University, U.S.—were published in Physical
Review Letters in January 2021. The lead author was Surrey Ph.D. student
Samuel Hallam, who also studied for his undergraduate physics degree at
Surrey.
One of the biggest challenges in nuclear physics is measuring reactions that
occur on excited quantum states, such as are found in exploding stars due to
extreme temperature and density. Until now, physicists have had to determine
the rates at which nuclear reactions occur in these conditions through
theoretical estimates.
This pioneering study has shown, for the first time, that it is possible to
mimic an excited quantum state by using a completely separate nucleus.
Dr. Gavin Lotay explains: "Our results now indicate that proton capture on
the first, excited state of Aluminium-26 (found in stars) is likely to be
ten times slower than was previously expected from theoretical estimates.
This provides crucial insight into the analysis of meteoritic material and
impacts on future theoretical studies of nucleosynthesis in exploding
stars."
Reference:
S. Hallam et al, Exploiting Isospin Symmetry to Study the Role of Isomers in
Stellar Environments, Physical Review Letters (2021).
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.126.042701
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