Characterising Nuclei Far from Stability With a Novel Recoil Spectrometer. A high sensitivity detector system for use in conjuction with a superconducting solenoidal transporter will be developed for gamma-ray and conversion spectroscopy of neutron-deficient nuclei. The technology will be optimised for near-symmetric heavy ion reactions and applied initially to the characterisation of shape co-existence in the light lead isotopes. These provide a major testing ground for the development of mean- ....Characterising Nuclei Far from Stability With a Novel Recoil Spectrometer. A high sensitivity detector system for use in conjuction with a superconducting solenoidal transporter will be developed for gamma-ray and conversion spectroscopy of neutron-deficient nuclei. The technology will be optimised for near-symmetric heavy ion reactions and applied initially to the characterisation of shape co-existence in the light lead isotopes. These provide a major testing ground for the development of mean-field theories used to predict the stability of heavy nuclei.Read moreRead less
Developing and exploiting a beam of exotic neutron halo nuclei: probing quantum coherence and decoherence at the femtoscale. Developing an Australian rare isotope beam capability with unique features will be a breakthrough in Australia's capability in science. It will create new opportunities for local research with radioactive isotope beams, a field being vigorously developed world-wide, as new access to short-lived radioactive isotopes will open up many opportunities in fundamental research an ....Developing and exploiting a beam of exotic neutron halo nuclei: probing quantum coherence and decoherence at the femtoscale. Developing an Australian rare isotope beam capability with unique features will be a breakthrough in Australia's capability in science. It will create new opportunities for local research with radioactive isotope beams, a field being vigorously developed world-wide, as new access to short-lived radioactive isotopes will open up many opportunities in fundamental research and applications. The experience and strong international linkages from this project will facilitate the longer-term use of future large-scale international facilities. This project will also build links with other areas of research strength in Australia, and keep us at the cutting-edge in research and training in nuclear science, a matter of national importance.Read moreRead less
Alpha-particle cluster structure in light nuclei: helping and hindering fusion? A new, efficient detector system will be designed and built to answer a question never before asked - can the special structures of carbon, resembling three alpha-particles, assist rather than hinder the process of fusion with heavy nuclei? This question has arisen through my recent work published in Nature, which showed that in reactions with heavy nuclei, paradoxically both fusion and break-up into alpha-particles ....Alpha-particle cluster structure in light nuclei: helping and hindering fusion? A new, efficient detector system will be designed and built to answer a question never before asked - can the special structures of carbon, resembling three alpha-particles, assist rather than hinder the process of fusion with heavy nuclei? This question has arisen through my recent work published in Nature, which showed that in reactions with heavy nuclei, paradoxically both fusion and break-up into alpha-particles are more likely for carbon than for neighbouring nuclei. These results defy interpretation within the standard theory of nuclear fusion. The project will help to maintain Australia's world-leading position in the study of nuclear fusion.
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Isomers as Probes of Nuclear Structure and Sources of Energetic Photons. The aim is to study exotic long-lived states in nuclei using accelerator facilities in Australia and overseas. This involves the development of sensitive instrumentation and will lead to a new understanding of how such states are formed, of how they may be used to identify the structure of exotic nuclei, and on the limits of stability of nuclei in general. Isomers represent a special form of nuclear matter and they play a r ....Isomers as Probes of Nuclear Structure and Sources of Energetic Photons. The aim is to study exotic long-lived states in nuclei using accelerator facilities in Australia and overseas. This involves the development of sensitive instrumentation and will lead to a new understanding of how such states are formed, of how they may be used to identify the structure of exotic nuclei, and on the limits of stability of nuclei in general. Isomers represent a special form of nuclear matter and they play a role in the formation of the elements in stellar nucleosynthesis. Stimulated isomer decay may ultimately lead to new forms of energy storage and gamma-ray lasers.Read moreRead less
Magnetic moments of radioactive beams - an incisive probe of novel structures in neutron-rich nuclei. This project gives Australian scientists, whose expertise underpins recent ground-breaking success, the opportunity for continued leadership in research with international large-scale radioactive beam facilities - a scientific frontier of high technical and intellectual standing. In the process of studying the fundamental goal of nuclear physics, to reach a unified understanding of all nuclei, i ....Magnetic moments of radioactive beams - an incisive probe of novel structures in neutron-rich nuclei. This project gives Australian scientists, whose expertise underpins recent ground-breaking success, the opportunity for continued leadership in research with international large-scale radioactive beam facilities - a scientific frontier of high technical and intellectual standing. In the process of studying the fundamental goal of nuclear physics, to reach a unified understanding of all nuclei, it will develop the basic science needed for future applications of exotic isotopes, e.g. in materials science and medicine. Including experiments in Australia and abroad, it offers an exceptional breadth of training to address the shortage of nuclear expertise needed by the health sector, industry, government, and for national security.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0560959
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$165,000.00
Summary
The Macquarie National Low Temperature Optoelectronic Thin Film Growth Facility. Funding is requested for an Australian facility for the growth of nitride and oxide thin films with in-situ optical analysis equipment for the monitoring of growth parameters. It is envisaged that this facility would be for the development of materials and device structures for photonic, electronic and optoelectronic applications. The facility will also provide a leading Australian source of these materials for fund ....The Macquarie National Low Temperature Optoelectronic Thin Film Growth Facility. Funding is requested for an Australian facility for the growth of nitride and oxide thin films with in-situ optical analysis equipment for the monitoring of growth parameters. It is envisaged that this facility would be for the development of materials and device structures for photonic, electronic and optoelectronic applications. The facility will also provide a leading Australian source of these materials for fundamental material studies utilising nuclear analysis and implantation technologies, high resolution X-ray diffraction, high spatial resolution micro-cathodoluminescence and other forms of analysis. Ex-situ optical analysis equipment is also requested for post-growth evaluation to compliment and evaluate the in-situ analysis.Read moreRead less
Reaching the superheavy elements: a new approach with a novel ultra-sensitive detector array. Our project aims to build the knowledge base underpinning the creation of new heavy elements and isotopes. This first direct investigation of the hoped-for benefits of using radioactive beams will enhance the strong reputation of Australian research in the fundamental subject of nuclear fusion. The unique and sophisticated scientific instrument to be developed will enhance the capability of our RIEF-fun ....Reaching the superheavy elements: a new approach with a novel ultra-sensitive detector array. Our project aims to build the knowledge base underpinning the creation of new heavy elements and isotopes. This first direct investigation of the hoped-for benefits of using radioactive beams will enhance the strong reputation of Australian research in the fundamental subject of nuclear fusion. The unique and sophisticated scientific instrument to be developed will enhance the capability of our RIEF-funded fusion product separator at the ANU, and use at overseas radioactive beam accelerators will showcase Australian technological achievement. This early participation in exciting, leading-edge developments will help Australian researchers to make full use of future, intense radioactive beam facilities, both in pure and applied research. Read moreRead less
Nucleosynthesis of low and intermediate mass stars: A study into the origin of the elements. Everything in our Solar System, including the Sun and all life on Earth, were created out of material forged long ago in fiery stellar furnaces. In the hot dense cores of long dead stars the material most vital to life was created. However, the stellar origin of many elements is unknown although we can make guesses, from observations of stars and by bringing together ideas from different scientific fiel ....Nucleosynthesis of low and intermediate mass stars: A study into the origin of the elements. Everything in our Solar System, including the Sun and all life on Earth, were created out of material forged long ago in fiery stellar furnaces. In the hot dense cores of long dead stars the material most vital to life was created. However, the stellar origin of many elements is unknown although we can make guesses, from observations of stars and by bringing together ideas from different scientific fields including astrophysics, nuclear physics and geochemistry. Using the latest theoretical techniques together with the most recent experimental data, it is possible to piece together the clues
to unravel the mystery of the origin of the elements.
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Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0453521
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$508,374.00
Summary
National Heavy Ion Accelerator. The principal objectives are to develop a facility to provide energetic heavy ions for basic science, applications and research training. This will be accomplished through an enhancement of a superconducting linear accelerator using innovative technology, and extension of the available beam species through improvements to a large electrostatic tandem accelerator. The facility provides research resources for a broad range of national and international users.
Dynamics of Nuclear Fusion: Evolution Through a Complex Multi-Dimensional Landscape. The key questions in the fusion of heavy nuclei form an interlocking puzzle, which can be resolved using our recently developed analysis concepts and measurement techniques. The newly completed, unique, and highly efficient superconducting fusion product separator, together with Australian's Heavy Ion Accelerator, will be used to unlock the puzzle and reveal how fusing nuclei evolve in a multi-dimensional landsc ....Dynamics of Nuclear Fusion: Evolution Through a Complex Multi-Dimensional Landscape. The key questions in the fusion of heavy nuclei form an interlocking puzzle, which can be resolved using our recently developed analysis concepts and measurement techniques. The newly completed, unique, and highly efficient superconducting fusion product separator, together with Australian's Heavy Ion Accelerator, will be used to unlock the puzzle and reveal how fusing nuclei evolve in a multi-dimensional landscape. This will impact on the emerging fields of superheavy element formation, physics with rare isotope beams, and on coupling-assisted quantum tunnelling. This project will maintain Australia's world-leading position in the current race to develop a quantitative understanding of fusion.
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