Grant: Subatomic Physics Envelope - Individual

The main theme of this grant proposal is the use of high-precision spectroscopy, using novel detectors and state-of-the-art facilities, to probe exotic nuclear structure near the line of stability and at the extremes of neutron-to-proton ratios. This grant research will focus on three main areas: 1) studies related to fundamental symmetries and physics beond the Standard Model, 2) studies of collective states in spherical and deformed nuclei to understand the structure of matter, and 3) development of advanced detectors for use at modern radioactive ion beam facilities that will allow nuclei at the extremes of neutron-to-proton ratios to be studied. The study of fundamental symmetries and the search for physics beyond the Standard Model is one of the main goals of modern physics. We use the techniques of very-high-precision measurements of Fermi super-allowed beta-decay for these tests, and these are complemented by measurements at other facilities. We will continue our very successful programme of study of collective excitations in nuclei, concentrating on vibrational nuclei and those in a shape transitional region. By studying collective excitations, we seek to understand how the motion of a many-body system of strongly interacting fermions organizes into a coherent one hat often displays very simple patterns. We use the most advanced facilities in the world in order to perform this research, including laboratories in Canada, the US, and Europe. The third main thrust of this research the development of new, advanced radiation detection systems, such as the DESCANT array - a novel, neutron-detector array based on deuterated liquid scintillator funded by CFI for $1.8M - that will open up new avenues for research.