Grant: Subatomic Physics Envelope - Individual
Saint Mary's University
$89,500.00
Towards a new global view of nuclear structure and nuclear matter through nuclei with large neutron to proton ratio
FY 2007-08
Summary
The search for knowledge on the synthesis of elements that composed all matter on earth has been one of mankind's greatest quests. Human life and all the matter in the world owe our roots to stardust. It is through cascade of reactions of nuclei in the core of stars that key elements such as carbon, oxygen, iron, calcium that are necessary for our survival, came into being. These nuclei, referred to as 'unstable nuclei', which have paved the path to our existence, are very short-lived objects existing only in high temperature environment in the cosmos. To solve the puzzle on the origin of elements, it is however crucial to understand the properties of these unstable nuclei. Recently, we have found a way to produce and make reactions of these objects in our laboratories. This tool, termed as radioactive ion beam (RIB), has brought about a major revolution in science. The reactions occurring in the stars can be studied for the first time in our laboratories with RIB. We will use the RIB at TRIUMF to unravel the mysteries of element synthesis. Unlike the species of nuclei that exist on our earth (i.e. stable nuclei) these unstable nuclei have unbalanced number of constituent particles called protons and neutrons which drive them to have very unusual properties. So far our knowledge was primarily built only on the study of stable nuclei. Some of our initial investigations have shown that the arrangement of the protons and neutrons, that make up a nucleus are dramatically changed inside these unstable nuclei in comparison to the stable nuclei. Our new investigation will contribute to form a new global view of nuclei going beyond the restricted knowledge we had so far studying only stable nuclei. We will investigate some of the key reactions that occur in cosmic objects like the supernovae to understand how element synthesis occurs. This fundamental research will thus contribute to enlighten our society about the objects and the paths that have led to the existence of matter on earth.
Program
Subatomic Physics Envelope - Individual
Recipient
Location
Nova Scotia, Canada
Recipient Type
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
NSERC's Awards Data
As published
Application id
341332-2007
Name nom
Kanungo, Rituparna
Department département
Astronomy and Physics
Organization id
85
Institution établissement
Saint Mary's University
Province en
Nova Scotia
Province fr
Nouvelle-Écosse
Country en
CANADA
Country fr
CANADA
Fiscal year exercice financier
2007
Competition year année de concours
2007
Award amount
89500
Program id
SAPIN
Program name en
Subatomic Physics Envelope - Individual
Program name fr
Enveloppe de physique subatomique - Individuelles
Group en
Discovery grants programs
Group fr
Programmes de subventions à la découverte
Committee code
19
Committee name en
Subatomic Physics
Committee name fr
Physique subatomique
Area of application code
1200
Area of application group en
Advancement of knowledge
Area of application group fr
Avancement des connaissances
Area of application en
Advancement of knowledge
Area of application fr
Avancement des connaissances
Research subject code
3102
Research subject group en
Physics
Research subject group fr
Physique
Research subject en
Nuclear physics
Research subject fr
Physique nucléaire
Partie
1
Nb partie
3
Application title
Towards a new global view of nuclear structure and nuclear matter through nuclei with large neutron to proton ratio
Keyword
NA
Application summary
The search for knowledge on the synthesis of elements that composed all matter on earth has been one of mankind's greatest quests. Human life and all the matter in the world owe our roots to stardust. It is through cascade of reactions of nuclei in the core of stars that key elements such as carbon, oxygen, iron, calcium that are necessary for our survival, came into being. These nuclei, referred to as 'unstable nuclei', which have paved the path to our existence, are very short-lived objects existing only in high temperature environment in the cosmos. To solve the puzzle on the origin of elements, it is however crucial to understand the properties of these unstable nuclei. Recently, we have found a way to produce and make reactions of these objects in our laboratories. This tool, termed as radioactive ion beam (RIB), has brought about a major revolution in science. The reactions occurring in the stars can be studied for the first time in our laboratories with RIB. We will use the RIB at TRIUMF to unravel the mysteries of element synthesis. Unlike the species of nuclei that exist on our earth (i.e. stable nuclei) these unstable nuclei have unbalanced number of constituent particles called protons and neutrons which drive them to have very unusual properties. So far our knowledge was primarily built only on the study of stable nuclei. Some of our initial investigations have shown that the arrangement of the protons and neutrons, that make up a nucleus are dramatically changed inside these unstable nuclei in comparison to the stable nuclei. Our new investigation will contribute to form a new global view of nuclei going beyond the restricted knowledge we had so far studying only stable nuclei. We will investigate some of the key reactions that occur in cosmic objects like the supernovae to understand how element synthesis occurs. This fundamental research will thus contribute to enlighten our society about the objects and the paths that have led to the existence of matter on earth.
