Designer Nuclei: Connecting Femtoworld with the Universe – A PIASA’s Award Presentation and a lecture by Prof. Witold Nazarewicz

The lecture discusses the study of atomic nuclei, the core of the matter, and the fuel of stars.

At the forefront of subatomic research are efforts to characterize atomic nuclei, intriguing complexes of subatomic particles. Over the last decade, tremendous progress has been made in techniques to produce rare atomic nuclei with characteristics adjusted to specific research needs.  These so-called designer nuclei exist on a uniquely small scale (10^-15m) that is a million times smaller than the familiar atomic scale of nanotechnology (10^-9 m).

The study of these designer nuclei, i.e., Femtoscience, is extremely broad and diverse. It provides the link between our understanding of the fundamental constituents of nature and explanation of matter of which we and stars are made. Investigations of rare isotopes span the gamut from nuclear structure to astrophysics, tests of the fundamental laws of nature, and myriad applications. Nevertheless, it is characterized by several encompassing themes that reflect the major challenges facing modern science today, and it has deep links to many other fields. This lecture will offer a personal perspective on the fascinating field of designer nuclei. It will also discuss how the newly built Facility for Rare Isotope Beams at Michigan State University will transform the field.

Dr. Witold Nazarewicz is both a John A. Hannah Distinguished Professor of Physics at Michigan State University, and a professor of physics at Warsaw University, Poland. He is also a Corporaste Fellow at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Physics Division. During 1999-2012 he served as the Scientific Director of the ORNL Holifield Radioactive Ion Beam Facility. He has held several visiting positions, including professorships at Lund University, University of Cologne, Kyoto University, University of Liverpool, University of the West of Scotland, and Peking University. MORE