Developing a complete understanding of nuclear fission. This project aims to develop a reliable predictive model of nuclear fission. Nuclear fission is an important process in fundamental physics and technologies spanning energy, medicine and materials science. It was recently found that fission still holds many secrets, since existing models fail to describe new fission measurements for nuclei lighter than the well-known uranium region. This project plans to exploit world-leading Australian res ....Developing a complete understanding of nuclear fission. This project aims to develop a reliable predictive model of nuclear fission. Nuclear fission is an important process in fundamental physics and technologies spanning energy, medicine and materials science. It was recently found that fission still holds many secrets, since existing models fail to describe new fission measurements for nuclei lighter than the well-known uranium region. This project plans to exploit world-leading Australian research equipment to map out unknown fission characteristics in large regions of the nuclear chart, providing a complete microscopic understanding of nuclear fission. This is designed to lead to the first predictive model applicable to the entire nuclear chart, including nuclei of astrophysical importance.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE150100064
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$250,000.00
Summary
New Data Acquisition Capabilities for the Heavy Ion Accelerator Facility. New data acquisition capabilities for Australia's heavy ion accelerator facility: Australia's heavy ion accelerator facility supports a wide range of high quality research in pure and applied nuclear physics. This research relies upon multi-parameter data acquisition, in which the pulses from many detectors are recorded event-by-event. By replacing the facility's obsolescent data acquisition system, this project aims to up ....New Data Acquisition Capabilities for the Heavy Ion Accelerator Facility. New data acquisition capabilities for Australia's heavy ion accelerator facility: Australia's heavy ion accelerator facility supports a wide range of high quality research in pure and applied nuclear physics. This research relies upon multi-parameter data acquisition, in which the pulses from many detectors are recorded event-by-event. By replacing the facility's obsolescent data acquisition system, this project aims to update and expand the capability for conventional analog data taking, to develop new capability for digital data acquisition, and to enable multiple users to take data at the same time. These features will greatly improve research possibilities and productivity for users of the heavy ion accelerator facility.Read moreRead less
Creating superheavy elements and isotopes. This project aims to measure properties, probabilities and timescales of competing quasifission processes, by combining Australian accelerator and detector capabilities with exotic radioactive targets. In 2015, nuclear fusion created superheavy elements with atomic numbers 113 to 118. The race is now on to create elements 119 and 120, as their production and properties should pin down the location of the predicted superheavy Island of Stability, but 3-f ....Creating superheavy elements and isotopes. This project aims to measure properties, probabilities and timescales of competing quasifission processes, by combining Australian accelerator and detector capabilities with exotic radioactive targets. In 2015, nuclear fusion created superheavy elements with atomic numbers 113 to 118. The race is now on to create elements 119 and 120, as their production and properties should pin down the location of the predicted superheavy Island of Stability, but 3-fragment quasifission is a major impediment to their formation. This project will evaluate quassification processes on the nuclear reactions proposed to form new superheavy elements and is expected to identify the best reactions for their discovery. The synthesis of new elements tests quantum physics, relativistic chemistry and element creation in the cosmos, and offers high profile returns on investments.Read moreRead less
Ultrasensitive single atom-counting for astrophysics and nuclear technology. This project aims to study nuclear reactions identified as highest priority by United States and European working groups. This project addresses a wide range of applications that are critical to society, the generation of energy (nuclear fusion, fission, advanced nuclear systems), medical applications, national security and environmental applications. It addresses the fundamental question of where all the elements origi ....Ultrasensitive single atom-counting for astrophysics and nuclear technology. This project aims to study nuclear reactions identified as highest priority by United States and European working groups. This project addresses a wide range of applications that are critical to society, the generation of energy (nuclear fusion, fission, advanced nuclear systems), medical applications, national security and environmental applications. It addresses the fundamental question of where all the elements originate and will benefit the general community with qualified research in nuclear technology, non-proliferation, nuclear safeguards and through accelerator-based research relevant, for example, for hadron therapy.Read moreRead less
Auger-electron yields of medical radioisotopes. Large numbers of Auger electrons are emitted during the decay of many medical isotopes. Auger electrons have a short range and a strong ability to break chemical bonds. However no measurements of the number of Auger electrons per nuclear decay exist in the critical low energy regime. Calculated Auger yields are incomplete and inconsistent. Building on unique Australian expertise and instrumentation, and performing both calculations and measurements ....Auger-electron yields of medical radioisotopes. Large numbers of Auger electrons are emitted during the decay of many medical isotopes. Auger electrons have a short range and a strong ability to break chemical bonds. However no measurements of the number of Auger electrons per nuclear decay exist in the critical low energy regime. Calculated Auger yields are incomplete and inconsistent. Building on unique Australian expertise and instrumentation, and performing both calculations and measurements, his project aims to determine the number of Auger electrons per nuclear decay accurately for medical isotopes. The outcome will be accurate dose data for radioisotopes, plus essential knowledge to develop new cancer treatments based on Auger electrons, which target a fraction of a cell.Read moreRead less
Australian Laureate Fellowships - Grant ID: FL110100098
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,750,752.00
Summary
Frontiers of reaction dynamics for new generation accelerator science. Innovative concepts and new Australian capabilities will be combined to understand reactions of exotic isotopes. This will underpin applications of next generation international rare isotope accelerators to advance many areas of physics, medical science and future energy technologies. The project strengthens national capacity in a strategic area.
Leading a coordinated international approach to understand the zeptosecond physics of superheavy element formation. Unique Australian experimental developments and concepts, to track the zeptosecond dynamics of fusion forming superheavy elements, have revealed unexpectedly strong quantum effects. The impact of these insights is attracting world-leaders in this vigorous field to collaborate with us. Leading an ambitious coordinated program of experiments in Australia and at big international faci ....Leading a coordinated international approach to understand the zeptosecond physics of superheavy element formation. Unique Australian experimental developments and concepts, to track the zeptosecond dynamics of fusion forming superheavy elements, have revealed unexpectedly strong quantum effects. The impact of these insights is attracting world-leaders in this vigorous field to collaborate with us. Leading an ambitious coordinated program of experiments in Australia and at big international facilities, and driving theoretical developments, this project will pin down the dynamics of heavy element formation. This will be a high-profile outcome from recent investment in Australian accelerators. Mapping out future opportunities at worldwide billion dollar accelerator developments will secure a strong Australian engagement and benefit from these massive investments.Read moreRead less
From coherent to dissipative dynamics in complex quantum systems: opening a new window through nuclear fusion. The new ideas and precision measurement technologies in the project will enhance the reputation of Australian research in the fundamental subjects of quantum tunnelling and nuclear fusion. The cutting-edge work, and its international linkages, provides outstanding training in quantum and nuclear science of national and international significance.
Deep-sea observatories for astrophysics - stardust on the ocean floor. This project aims to study the past 10 million years for unique signatures trapped in Earth’s deep ocean archives. It will investigate how and where the heavy elements are made in nature, and if nearby supernovae impacted on Earth. The project will provide a detailed time history of close-by supernova events. The set of radionuclide data can also be utilised for Earth’s climate record. The training included will provide quali ....Deep-sea observatories for astrophysics - stardust on the ocean floor. This project aims to study the past 10 million years for unique signatures trapped in Earth’s deep ocean archives. It will investigate how and where the heavy elements are made in nature, and if nearby supernovae impacted on Earth. The project will provide a detailed time history of close-by supernova events. The set of radionuclide data can also be utilised for Earth’s climate record. The training included will provide qualified researchers for many fields, such as nuclear technology, nonproliferation, medical physics and nuclear safeguards, important for national security, health and economy.Read moreRead less
Laboratory studies of Nucleosynthesis via Accelerator Mass Spectrometry. This project aims at laboratory studies of stellar nucleosynthesis applying ultra-sensitive accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) measurements. The project will focus on reactions which are essential to open questions in modelling nucleosynthesis in stars, that is where no data exist at all, or are scarce and discrepant; in particular for neutron- and charged-particle induced reactions relevant to the s-and p-process where an ....Laboratory studies of Nucleosynthesis via Accelerator Mass Spectrometry. This project aims at laboratory studies of stellar nucleosynthesis applying ultra-sensitive accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) measurements. The project will focus on reactions which are essential to open questions in modelling nucleosynthesis in stars, that is where no data exist at all, or are scarce and discrepant; in particular for neutron- and charged-particle induced reactions relevant to the s-and p-process where an extremely sensitive detection method is required. New data for key nuclear reactions will be connected with theory, for testing and improving theoretical predictions. They will be highly beneficial for modelling the respective nucleosynthesis processes in stars and for our understanding of the elemental abundance of our solar system.Read moreRead less