Nuclear Physics Experimental projects

Nuclear Physics is the study of the heavy but tiny nucleus that lies at the centre of all atoms and makes up 99.9% by mass of everything we see. The nucleus forms a fascinating laboratory for study, falling between the extremes of systems with a handful of particles, which can be solved from first principles, and systems with thousands of particles whose properties can be treated statistically. The individual protons and neutrons in the nucleus can strongly dictate the properties of the nucleus as a whole.

Although a mature field, nuclear physics poses an array of challenging questions and the recent advent of accelerated radioactive beams has reinvigorated this research area. Increasingly important is the application of our understanding of nuclear physics to astrophysical questions, where it can help to understand energy generation in stars as well as the heavy elements synthesised in stellar explosions.

Our group is extremely active in experimental nuclear physics and conducts a diverse programme at a range of overseas laboratories in France, Finland, Germany, Switzerland, the USA and Canada.  The resulting data are returned to York where they are analysed using the group's extensive computing facilities. In recent years the group has been involved in developing a range of new experimental equipment, including gamma ray, neutron and charged particle detector arrays used for its research. This work has been enhanced by the refurbishment of our detector development laboratory with state-of-the-art computer and diagnostic readout equipment. We are also seeking to expand our activities through collaborative projects with non-academic institutions and industrial partners. For example, while we do not work directly on nuclear energy applications, we are involved in nuclear data programmes relevant to both nuclear fission and nuclear fusion. We are members of the nToF collaboration at CERN where cross-sections for nuclear reactions between neutrons and actinide nuclei e.g. uranium isotopes are measured with very high precision in order to optimise the operation of existing nuclear reactors. We are also collaborating with the Culham Centre for Fusion Energy (CCFE) on a programme to measure cross-sections for the interaction of neutrons with materials likely to be included in the design of a future fusion reactor like ITER. These need to be quantified in order to model the safety and performance of such a reactor.

At the present time the group consists of six members of academic staff, one STFC Advanced Fellow, four postdoctoral researchers, an Experimental Officer and 15 PhD students.  Our postdoctoral graduates find themselves in high demand in areas such as the nuclear industry (including energy generation, decommissioning and defence), medical physics, computational physics as well as in more diverse areas such as finance and computer analysis.  Several of our former students have also continued to successful careers in research at government laboratories and in academia both in the UK and overseas.

Our group is large enough to sustain a diverse range of interests. However, while the motivations may differ between these sub-programmes, there is substantial commonality in the techniques employed.  Broadly speaking, our research comprises two main aspects, although there are substantial overlaps between these: