The Institute of Nuclear and Particle Physics (INPP) presents Kristina Launey, of Louisiana State University, on “Novel Approximate Symmetry of Nuclear Dynamics from Large-scale Modeling”, on Tuesday, March 27, at 4 p.m. in Edwards Accelerator Lab, Roger W. Finlay Conference Room.
Kristina Launey
Abstract: Atomic nuclei are key to understanding processes in extreme environments, from stellar explosions to the interior of nuclear reactors and fusion capsules.
In this talk, I will discuss two central questions in nuclear physics, namely, understanding and predicting diverse nuclear properties from first principles (or “ab initio”), and the emergence of orderly patterns in the intricate nuclear dynamics. In particular, I will talk about the multi-facet challenges of a large-scale, first principle nuclear modeling and the way an innovative symmetry-guided framework, recently developed at LSU, has expanded the reach of ab initio theory toward heavier nuclei. This is based on findings, within this framework, that point to new (and surprisingly simple) physics common to all nuclei that can be traced to an approximate symplectic Sp(3,R) symmetry. This, empowered by petascale computing facilities, opens up a new region of nuclear isotopes for study and prediction that may help advance explorations in astrophysics and neutrino physics.
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