Project description
Neutron-rich nuclei shed light on the formation of heavy elements
The r-process describes a set of nuclear reactions responsible for the creation of approximately half of the atomic nuclei heavier than iron. It remains unknown whether superheavy nuclei have been naturally formed in our universe. The EU-funded NEXT project will search for new neutron-rich exotic heavy nuclei using multi-nucleon transfer reactions. For this purpose, a new solenoid-based separator will be built. This novel setup will allow for the discovery of new isotopes and studies of their decay properties. By measuring their masses, researchers will be able to pin down the ground state properties of these nuclei. The project's results will shed further light on the evolution of nuclear shells in the heavy mass region.
Objective
The heaviest element which has been found in nature is uranium with 92 protons. So far, the elements up to atomic number 118 (oganesson) have been discovered in the laboratory. All transuranium elements are radioactive and their production rates decrease with increasing number of protons. An Island of Stability, where the nuclei have relatively long half-lives, is predicted at the neutron number 182 and, depending on the theoretical model, at the proton number 114, 120 or 126. Current experimental techniques do not allow to go so far to the neutron-rich side close to the Island of Stability.
The observation of gravitational waves as well as electromagnetic waves originating from a neutron star merger has been published on October 16, 2017 and is a first proof of the nucleosynthesis of heavy elements in the r-process. It still remains an open question if superheavy nuclei have been formed in our universe. To answer these questions, we need insight into the nuclear properties of the heaviest elements and how these properties evolve when one moves toward to the neutron-rich side on the nuclear chart.
In the NEXT project, I will set out to discover new, Neutron-rich, EXotic heavy nuclei using multi-nucleon Transfer reactions. I will measure their masses and, thus, pin down the ground state properties of these nuclei. These studies provide insight into the evolution of nuclear shells in the heavy element region. Furthermore, I will measure the fission half-lives of these isotopes. In order to realize the NEXT project, I will built a novel spectrometer, which is a combination of a solenoid separator and Multi-Reflection Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometer.
The broad experience in heavy element research and mass measurements that I have acquired over the years, and the unique infrastructure at my home institute that houses the AGOR accelerator, makes it so that I am ideally placed to start and lead the NEXT project.
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Funding Scheme
ERC-STG - Starting GrantHost institution
9712CP Groningen
Netherlands