Project description DEENESFRITPL Neutron-capture processes could help decipher heavy-element formation Unravelling the cosmic processes responsible for element formation is the ultimate goal in nuclear astrophysics. Tackling the grand challenge of understanding heavy-element nucleosynthesis, the ERC-funded gRESONANT project aims to unveil the impact of overlooked nuclear structure effects on neutron-capture processes. By exploring low-energy gamma-decay resonances in neutron-rich and superheavy nuclei, gRESONANT could enhance understanding of astrophysical neutron-capture rates. The proposed activities will spark a novel research direction as no data exists on low-energy gamma resonance in neutron-rich and superheavy nuclei. gRESONANT will enable more precise estimations of unknown neutron-capture cross-sections, leading to significant advances in nuclear astrophysics. Show the project objective Hide the project objective Objective THE GRAND CHALLENGE: The “Holy Grail” of nuclear astrophysics is to understand the astrophysical processes responsible for the formation of the elements. A particularly challenging part is the description of the heavy-element nucleosynthesis. The only way to build the majority of these heavy nuclides is via neutron-capture processes. Unaccounted-for nuclear structure effects may drastically change these rates. MAIN HYPOTHESIS: Nuclear low-energy gamma-decay resonances at high excitation energies will enhance the astrophysical neutron-capture reaction rates. NOVEL APPROACH: This proposal is, for the first time, addressing the M1 scissors resonance in deformed, neutron-rich nuclei and superheavy elements. A new experimental technique will be developed to determine the electromagnetic nature of the unexpected upbend enhancement. Further, s-process branch points for the Re-Os cosmochronology will be studied for the first time with the Oslo method.OBJECTIVES: 1) Measure s-process branch point nuclei with the Oslo method2) Radioactive-beam experiments for neutron-rich nuclei searching for the low-energy upbend and the M1 scissors resonance3) Develop new experimental technique to identify the upbend’s electromagnetic nature4) Superheavy-element experiments looking for the M1 scissors resonancePOTENTIAL IMPACT IN THE RESEARCH FIELD: This proposal will trigger a new direction of research, as there are no data on the low-energy gamma resonances neither on neutron-rich nor superheavy nuclei. Their presence may have profound implications for the astrophysical neutron-capture rates. Developing a new experimental technique to determine the electromagnetic character of the upbend is crucial to distinguish between two competing explanations of this phenomenon. Unknown neutron-capture cross sections will be estimated with a much better precision than prior to this project, and lead to a major leap forward in the field of nuclear astrophysics. Fields of science natural sciencesphysical sciencestheoretical physicsparticle physicsparticle acceleratornatural sciencesphysical sciencesastronomystellar astronomyneutron starsnatural sciencesphysical sciencesastronomyphysical cosmologybig bangnatural sciencesphysical sciencesastronomyastrophysicsnatural sciencesphysical sciencesastronomystellar astronomysupernova Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC) Main Programme Topic(s) ERC-StG-2014 - ERC Starting Grant Call for proposal ERC-2014-STG See other projects for this call Funding Scheme ERC-STG - Starting Grant Coordinator UNIVERSITETET I OSLO Net EU contribution € 1 443 472,00 Address Problemveien 5-7 0313 Oslo Norway See on map Region Norge Oslo og Viken Oslo Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Other funding € 0,00 Beneficiaries (1) Sort alphabetically Sort by Net EU contribution Expand all Collapse all UNIVERSITETET I OSLO Norway Net EU contribution € 1 443 472,00 Address Problemveien 5-7 0313 Oslo See on map Region Norge Oslo og Viken Oslo Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Other funding € 0,00
