Anthony Kuchera
The Physics & Astronomy Colloquium Series presents Anthony Kuchera of Michigan State University on “MoNA-LISA and the art of detecting neutrons from exotic nuclei” on Thursday, Jan. 14, at 4:10 p.m. in Walter 245.
Abstract: Exploring the limits of nuclear existence and understanding the properties of nuclei away from stability are among the most important goals of nuclear physics today. The nuclei that have the largest neutron-to-proton ratio are found beyond the neutron drip-line, where the number of neutrons that can be bound for a given element is exceeded. These nuclei emit neutrons on a time scale of 10-21 seconds. Even though these nuclei exist for incredibly short times, their properties are still able to be measured with devices such as the Modular Neutron Array (MoNA) and Large multi-Institutional Scintillator Array (LISA) at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory (NSCL).
The MoNA collaboration has made significant contributions to the study of exotic nuclei by studying nuclei along the neutron drip-line. Recently, the collaboration has extended the measurements to nuclei which emit two neutrons such as 10He, 13Li, 16Be, and 26O. The next challenge is to identify decays by three and four neutrons. Recent results will be presented about a search for three-neutron emission from 15Be. In addition to nuclear structure experiments, MoNA-LISA has also been used for nuclear reaction studies. Details on a recent experiment studying the neutron-knockout mechanism will be discussed.
Other interesting phenomena, such as clustering, are predicted to exist for neutron-rich nuclei. Cluster states can be observed with breakup reactions using fast beams, like those produced at the NSCL, and by low-energy scattering experiments which are possible at Ohio University’s Edwards Accelerator Laboratory. Future plans to study the cluster-structure of nuclei will be presented.
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