Nuclear Physics
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The aim of the course is that the student is eventually able to understand the issues of current interest in nuclear physics, being capable to orient himself/herself in the literature on nuclear structure and reactions. In the first part of the course, the main features of the interaction among nucleons, the properties of the nuclear ground-states, the limits of nuclear stability and the main aspects of the nuclear spectra are introduced. In the second part, the basic notions on nuclear reactions are discussed. The course ends with a short discussion of the applications of nuclear physics to astrophysics. In the course, comments about the present status of our knowledge and about the open problems that are object of active research, are included.
Expected learning outcomes
1.The student will know the main features of the interaction among nucleons in vacuum and in the nuclear medium.
2.The student will have a general knowledge of the structure of the nuclear ground-state, of shell structure, as well as of deformation and superfluid phenomena. The student will also know the limits of nuclear stability.
3.The student will know the general features of the nuclear spectra.
4.The student will distinguish the main types of nuclear reactions (direct or compound nucleus reactions, elastic, inelastic and transfer reactions).
5.The student will know the general features of nuclear fission and of heavy-ion fusion.
6.The student will know the main applications of nuclear physics to astrophysical processes (reactions within stars, nucleosynthesis, compact objects)
2.The student will have a general knowledge of the structure of the nuclear ground-state, of shell structure, as well as of deformation and superfluid phenomena. The student will also know the limits of nuclear stability.
3.The student will know the general features of the nuclear spectra.
4.The student will distinguish the main types of nuclear reactions (direct or compound nucleus reactions, elastic, inelastic and transfer reactions).
5.The student will know the general features of nuclear fission and of heavy-ion fusion.
6.The student will know the main applications of nuclear physics to astrophysical processes (reactions within stars, nucleosynthesis, compact objects)
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
1. Nucleon-nucleon (NN) interaction in the vacuum and the nuclear medium. Links with simple systems (deuteron) and with two-body scattering. NN interaction and field theories (short). Three-body forces.
2. Models for nuclear structure: shell model, Hartree-Fock. Pairing interaction and Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer (BCS) theory for nuclear superfluidity.
3. Proton-deficient or neutron-rich nuclei. Limits of nuclear stability ("drip lines"): masses of unstable nuclei, density distributions, halo nuclei. Experimental techniques for studying unstable nuclei: production and acceleration of radioactive beams.
4. Nuclear spectroscopy. Spherical and deformed nuclei. Collective vibrational states of spherical nuclei and linear response theory to an external field.
5. Nuclear deformation. Rotational spectra. Adiabatic approximation.
6. Nuclear reactions: introduction, kinematics and conservation laws. Scattering theory and formal theory of nuclear reactions. Direct elastic and inelastic reactions. Transfer reactions. Compound nuclear reactions. Nuclear temperature.
7. Nuclear physics and astrophysical processes: stellar evolution and nucleosynthesis, reactions in the sun, reactions in more massive stars and Gamow peak.
8. Neutron stars: bulk properties (mass and radius), Tolman-Oppenheimer-Volkov equation, relationship with the nuclear equation of state.
9. Fusion reaction between heavy ions. Nuclear fission.
2. Models for nuclear structure: shell model, Hartree-Fock. Pairing interaction and Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer (BCS) theory for nuclear superfluidity.
3. Proton-deficient or neutron-rich nuclei. Limits of nuclear stability ("drip lines"): masses of unstable nuclei, density distributions, halo nuclei. Experimental techniques for studying unstable nuclei: production and acceleration of radioactive beams.
4. Nuclear spectroscopy. Spherical and deformed nuclei. Collective vibrational states of spherical nuclei and linear response theory to an external field.
5. Nuclear deformation. Rotational spectra. Adiabatic approximation.
6. Nuclear reactions: introduction, kinematics and conservation laws. Scattering theory and formal theory of nuclear reactions. Direct elastic and inelastic reactions. Transfer reactions. Compound nuclear reactions. Nuclear temperature.
7. Nuclear physics and astrophysical processes: stellar evolution and nucleosynthesis, reactions in the sun, reactions in more massive stars and Gamow peak.
8. Neutron stars: bulk properties (mass and radius), Tolman-Oppenheimer-Volkov equation, relationship with the nuclear equation of state.
9. Fusion reaction between heavy ions. Nuclear fission.
Prerequisites for admission
It is expected that the student masters general physics at the level of the B.Sc. degree. More specifically, however, it is expected that: (1) the student has the introductory knowledge provided by a basic Course in Nuclear and Subnuclear Physics (bulk nuclear properties, semi-empirical mass formula, nuclear charge density, nuclear decays); (2) the student knows non-relativistic quantum mechanics.
Teaching methods
Before the Course, a text written by the instructor is made available. Moreover, the program of the Course is presented in a detailed fashion. Lectures take place in the classroom, with the prevalent use of the blackboard (although involved figures and tables are displayed with a projector or shown to the students in other ways). There is ample room for discussion. The consistency between the language used and the student's research interests are checked.
Teaching Resources
Web page, with lecture notes and more bibliography: reachable starting from http://www0.mi.infn.it/~colo/Didattica/general.html.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The student is asked to give an oral exam, which is generally divided into two parts. The underlying reason is that the program is very broad. Consequently, in the first part, the student has to show he/she has acquired complete knowledge of a topic of his/her own choice and has to discuss the topic methodologically appropriately. Then, the student is asked general questions on the rest of the program of the Course, with the aim of understanding if he/she has a correct understanding of which topics are relevant and well-established and which topics are less relevant. The evaluation is focused on the student's maturity in terms: (1) the capability to put topics in perspective; (2) capability of using the knowledge that has been acquired in other Courses, (3) knowledge of nuclear phenomenology and theoretical interpretations, (4) presentation skills.
FIS/04 - NUCLEAR AND SUBNUCLEAR PHYSICS - University credits: 6
Lessons: 42 hours
Professor:
Colo' Gianluca
Professor(s)