to the UK Low-Energy
Nuclear
Physics Homepage
The low-energy nuclear physics group operates the premier
neutron-based accelerator
in USA.
The absence of charge in neutrons allows the study of nuclear levels
and
transitions in the most direct
manner.
In nuclear structure physics, experiments
using neutron beams
give
very precise measurements
of
energy thresholds, excitation
functions, angular
distributions and lifetimes
of levels
in nuclei
avoiding the
feeding of excited states above the level of interest. This
leads to the most
important
tool for testing current nuclear models, the transition strengths.
In addition, our facility
allows the
study of nuclear
reactions for Nuclear
Astrophysics purposes by
measuring the
cross-section
of interest; therefore giving
a definite insight to
fundamental theories
as the Big Bang.
``The
composition of matter as we see it today is the
product of nuclear reactions which have taken place
a
long time ago in the stars or in star
explosions, where
conditions
prevailed which we simulate in a
very
microscopic
way within our accelerating machines.
Hence
the material basis of the world in which we live
is
a
product of the laws of nuclear physics.
I
cannot better illustrate the interconnection of all
facts
of nature, the tightly
woven
net
of the
laws of physics,
than by pointing to the
chart of abundances of elements
in
our part of the universe. Each maximum
and minimum
in
the curve of abundances corresponds
to some trait of
nuclear dynamics, here a closed
shell, there a strong
neutron
cross-section,or a low binding
energy.''
V.F.
Weisskopf
This site has been designed such that
it contains useful information for both prospective graduate students
and more experienced scientists alike. You will find an overview
describing the function of the accelerator we have here at UK, along
with some examples of the research carried out by the group. For those
requiring more details, we have included links to some of our recent
papers
online. We hope you can find whatever it is you are looking for here.