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Few-Body Group
 All nuclei are made up of protons and
neutrons; both are called nucleons. Though nucleons are themselves believed to consist of quarks
and gluons, the fundamental nucleon-nucleon force at very low scattering energies (and thus at
long inter-nuclear distance) is still widely believed to be governed by meson exchange as
originally proposed by Yukawa.
The UNC Few-Body Group has recently explored whether the properties of bound
nuclei involving more than two nucleons, especially systems containing 3 or 4 nucleons, can be predicted using the best information available about the underlying pairwise nucleon-nucleon interaction. So far, all efforts to predict the properties for these complex light nuclei have failed unless more exotic interactions, such as a three-nucleon force, are included. For example, the figure shows data taken by our group which displays huge discrepancies between recent data collected for one spin-dependent scattering observable and predictions based on simple pairwise nuclear forces. In fact, based on results like these, the simple pion-exchange model for the nuclear force has been questioned. Only when all the basic interactions between nucleons are understood and such data can be explained can we expect to understand and predict properties of much heavier nuclei. A detailed knowledge of these nuclei and the basic nuclear interactions is crucial for solving fusion energy problems and many problems in nuclear astrophysics.
 The UNC Nuclear Few-Body Group is part of the Physics and Astronomy Department at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The group’s research is supported by the U.S. Department of Energy.
Our group provides a thorough and exciting training program for graduate students who are interested in studying the basic
properties of matter. You will acquire the ability to plan and execute experiments along with highly marketable skills in data analysis, computing and the design and construction of experimental equipment. Your training will prepare you for opportunities in industry, medical physics and national laboratories. Many of our graduates have also gone on to teaching positions. For more information about applying to graduate school and working in this area, contact one of the group’s faculty members.
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