Nuclear Physics


Book Description

The principal goals of the study were to articulate the scientific rationale and objectives of the field and then to take a long-term strategic view of U.S. nuclear science in the global context for setting future directions for the field. Nuclear Physics: Exploring the Heart of Matter provides a long-term assessment of an outlook for nuclear physics. The first phase of the report articulates the scientific rationale and objectives of the field, while the second phase provides a global context for the field and its long-term priorities and proposes a framework for progress through 2020 and beyond. In the second phase of the study, also developing a framework for progress through 2020 and beyond, the committee carefully considered the balance between universities and government facilities in terms of research and workforce development and the role of international collaborations in leveraging future investments. Nuclear physics today is a diverse field, encompassing research that spans dimensions from a tiny fraction of the volume of the individual particles (neutrons and protons) in the atomic nucleus to the enormous scales of astrophysical objects in the cosmos. Nuclear Physics: Exploring the Heart of Matter explains the research objectives, which include the desire not only to better understand the nature of matter interacting at the nuclear level, but also to describe the state of the universe that existed at the big bang. This report explains how the universe can now be studied in the most advanced colliding-beam accelerators, where strong forces are the dominant interactions, as well as the nature of neutrinos.




Space Magnetic Traps in the Universe and in Magnetosphere


Book Description

"The importance and actuality of investigation Space Magnetic Traps in the Universe and in Magnetosphere are based on following four factors: 1. Space Magnetic Traps in the Universe for Cosmic Ray particles (Astroparticles, Run Away Particles) on different studies of the Universe's evolution and in different objects (galaxies of different types, quasars, nucleus of galaxies, Sun and stars, Heliosphere and Stellar Spheres, solar and stellar winds, magnetospheres of planets, and so on) are very interested and important in the frame of fundamental science (Astrophysics, Plasma Physics and Magneto-Hydrodynamics, Nuclear and Elementary Particle Physics, Geophysics). This problem is interested also for applications (e.g., problem of controlled thermo-nuclear reactions in magneto-plasmas traps as main source for energy in near future for the Earth's Civilization). 2. The Magnetosphere is the nearest giant natural laboratory where with satellites and ground measurements is possible to investigate different plasmas and energetic processes in space caused by interaction of high kinetic energy solar wind plasmas with frozen in Interplanetary Magnetic Fields--ƯIMF and its perturbations (Interplanetary Coronal Mass Ejections--UICMEs, Interplanetary Shock Waves--UISWs, Interplanetary Interaction Regions--UIIRs, and so on) with the rotated main geomagnetic field. This interaction leads to a dynamic transformation of magnetic fields in the Magnetosphere, formation Space Magnetic Traps (Radiation Belts), generation and trapping of high energy particles (which can be called Magnetospheric Cosmic Rays--UMCR), and generation of different types of instabilities and electromagnetic radiations. These processes are similar to processes in magnetospheres of other planets and their moons, in the atmosphere of the Sun and other stars, in interplanetary and in interstellar space, and in many different astrophysical objects in the Universe. This research presents an important basis for fundamental space in frame of Astrophysics, Plasma Physics and Magneto-Hydrodynamics, Nuclear and Elementary Particle Physics, Geophysics. 3. In modern time, technology, economics, navigation, TV, internet, radio-connections, military aspects, and the life of people on our planet are strongly connected by the work of many satellites moving inside the Magnetosphere. Different processes and MCR in the magnetosphere influence how the satellites work and often lead to satellite malfunctions, sometimes completely destroying their electronics and satellites become 'dead'. The described research can be considered as a basis for developing methods of forecasting dangerous situations for satellites on different orbits and to decrease the risk of satellite malfunctions and of losing them. It means that this research has important practical applications. 4. The interaction of ICME, ISW, and IIR with the Magnetosphere leads to the generation of big magnetic storms accompanied by Cosmic Ray Forbush--decrease and precursory effects in Galactic Cosmic Ray (GCR) intensity. These magnetic storms are dangerous, not only for satellites, but also for Earth's surface regarding technology, radio-connections, car accidents, and human health (e.g., increasing frequency of infarct myocardial and brain strokes). Investigation of causes of magnetic storms can help to develop methods of their forecasting and decrease the level of magnetic storm hazards. Therefore, the other practical application of this research is connected with the problem of space weather and space climate influence on the technology, radio-connections, navigation, transportation, and human health on the Earth in dependence of altitude and geomagnetic latitude"--




Controlling the Quantum World


Book Description

As part of the Physics 2010 decadal survey project, the Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation requested that the National Research Council assess the opportunities, over roughly the next decade, in atomic, molecular, and optical (AMO) science and technology. In particular, the National Research Council was asked to cover the state of AMO science, emphasizing recent accomplishments and identifying new and compelling scientific questions. Controlling the Quantum World, discusses both the roles and challenges for AMO science in instrumentation; scientific research near absolute zero; development of extremely intense x-ray and laser sources; exploration and control of molecular processes; photonics at the nanoscale level; and development of quantum information technology. This book also offers an assessment of and recommendations about critical issues concerning maintaining U.S. leadership in AMO science and technology.




The Quantum World of Nuclear Physics


Book Description

This book presents a comprehensive explanation of the main ideas and principles of atomic and nuclear physics and quantum mechanics. The author invites readers to plunge into the physics of micro-objects and to take a fascinating tour of the world of atoms and nuclei. The main questions under consideration are the structure of atoms, atomic nuclei, the substance and systematics of elementary particles, the processes of the creation of atomic nuclei and the evolution of stars as well as different applied aspects of the physics of micro-objects.




Atomic Processes in Basic and Applied Physics


Book Description

The book is a comprehensive edition which considers the interactions of atoms, ions and molecules with charged particles, photons and laser fields and reflects the present understanding of atomic processes such as electron capture, target and projectile ionisation, photoabsorption and others occurring in most of laboratory and astrophysical plasma sources including many-photon and many-electron processes. The material consists of selected papers written by leading scientists in various fields.







Physics with Multiply Charged Ions


Book Description

Multiply charged ions have always been in the focus of atomic physics, astrophysics, plasma physics, and theoretical physics. Within the last few years, strong progress has been achieved in the development of ion sources, ion storage rings, ion traps, and methods to cool ions. As a consequence, nowadays, experiments with ensembles of multiply charged ions of brilliant quality are performed in many laboratories. The broad spectrum of the experiments demonstrates that these ions are an extremely versatile tool for investigations in pure and applied physics. It was the aim of this ASI to bring together scientists working in different fields of research with multiply charged ions in order to get an overview of the state of the art, to sound out possibilities for fruitful cooperations, and to discuss perspectives for the future. Accordingly, the programme of the ASI reached from established areas like QED calculations, weak interactions, x-ray astronomy, x-ray lasers, multi photon excitation, heavy-ion induced fusion, and ion-surface interactions up to the very recently opened areas like bound-beta decay, laser and x-ray spectroscopy, and spectrometry of ions in rings and traps, and the interaction of highly charged ions with biological cells. Impressive progress in nearly all of the fields could be reported during the meeting which is documented by the contributions to this volume. The theoretical understand ing of QED and correlation effects in few-electron heavy ions is rapidly developing.