Grant: Subatomic Physics Envelope - Project
University of Manitoba
$200,000.00
Mass measurements among stable and unstable nuclei using the Canadian Penning trap mass spectrometer
FY 2008-09
Summary
The formation of the elements that make up our universe, from the remnants of the big bang that created it, continues to be a fascinating conundrum. While some success has been achieved in the explanation of the production of the light isotopes the mechanisms responsible for the production of the bulk of the heavier elements are still not clear. Calculations based on normal, quietly burning stars do not reproduce the observed abundances for the elements in the universe today. It is thought that at least part of the production of these elements took place during explosive astrophysical events (supernovae and x-ray bursts etc.) that are powered by nuclear reactions among short-lived, radioactive nuclides at the limits of nuclear binding. The atomic masses of these nuclei are essential to understanding these processes because they determine the energy released and determine the path of the nuclear reaction chains that take place in these events.
The atomic masses of nuclei that participate in super-allowed beta-decay provide a unique opportunity for tests of fundamental symmetries in the standard model for particle physics. The atomic masses of such nuclei, in combination with information about their lifetime and branching ratios, provide an exciting opportunity for searches for physics beyond the Standard Model.
We have constructed a unique instrument system, the Canadian Penning Trap mass spectrometer (CPT), to accurately measure the masses of a wide variety of these short lived, exotic nuclei with great accuracy and sensitivity. The CPT operates on line to the Argonne Tandem Linac Accelerator System (ATLAS) at the Argonne National Laboratory (ANL). With this apparatus precise atomic mass measurements are possible on a wide variety of proton- and neutron- rich isotopes with half-lives as low as 30 ms.
The CPT spectrometer has been used to measure the masses of about 60 isotopes so far. Our results address many exciting scientific issues in nuclear astrophysics and weak interactions.
Program
Subatomic Physics Envelope - Project
Recipient
Location
Manitoba, Canada
Recipient Type
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
NSERC's Awards Data
As published
Application id
216974-2008
Name nom
Sharma, Kumar
Department département
Physics and Astronomy
Organization id
19
Institution établissement
University of Manitoba
Province en
Manitoba
Province fr
Manitoba
Country en
CANADA
Country fr
CANADA
Fiscal year exercice financier
2008
Competition year année de concours
2008
Award amount
2e+05
Program id
SAPPJ
Program nane en
Subatomic Physics Envelope - Project
Program name fr
Enveloppe de physique subatomique - De projet
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
1202
Area of application group en
Advancement of knowledge
Area of application group fr
Avancement des connaissances
Area of application en
Physical sciences
Area of application fr
Sciences physiques
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
Mass measurements among stable and unstable nuclei using the Canadian Penning trap mass spectrometer
Keyword
NA
Application summary
The formation of the elements that make up our universe, from the remnants of the big bang that created it, continues to be a fascinating conundrum. While some success has been achieved in the explanation of the production of the light isotopes the mechanisms responsible for the production of the bulk of the heavier elements are still not clear. Calculations based on normal, quietly burning stars do not reproduce the observed abundances for the elements in the universe today. It is thought that at least part of the production of these elements took place during explosive astrophysical events (supernovae and x-ray bursts etc.) that are powered by nuclear reactions among short-lived, radioactive nuclides at the limits of nuclear binding. The atomic masses of these nuclei are essential to understanding these processes because they determine the energy released and determine the path of the nuclear reaction chains that take place in these events.
The atomic masses of nuclei that participate in super-allowed beta-decay provide a unique opportunity for tests of fundamental symmetries in the standard model for particle physics. The atomic masses of such nuclei, in combination with information about their lifetime and branching ratios, provide an exciting opportunity for searches for physics beyond the Standard Model.
We have constructed a unique instrument system, the Canadian Penning Trap mass spectrometer (CPT), to accurately measure the masses of a wide variety of these short lived, exotic nuclei with great accuracy and sensitivity. The CPT operates on line to the Argonne Tandem Linac Accelerator System (ATLAS) at the Argonne National Laboratory (ANL). With this apparatus precise atomic mass measurements are possible on a wide variety of proton- and neutron- rich isotopes with half-lives as low as 30 ms.
The CPT spectrometer has been used to measure the masses of about 60 isotopes so far. Our results address many exciting scientific issues in nuclear astrophysics and weak interactions.
