Introduction

Research in nuclear physics at UNC focuses on the nature of the nuclear force, nuclear astrophysics, and fundamental symmetries in nature. Recent articles highlighting our groups' work appeared in the Spring 2003 issue of Endeavors, the UNC-Chapel Hill campus research magazine.

Research in the Few-Body Group addresses questions relevant to astrophysics and nuclear physics. In several recent and current experiments, the strong interaction between nucleons is being investigated through studies of few-nucleon interactions at low energies using systems such as that shown in the figure. Related measurements are probing the manifestations of nuclear forces in the dynamical properties of light nuclei as well as in polarization observables. The nature of tensor component of nuclear interaction and the three-body forces are of particular interest.

Involvement of UNC/TUNL scientists and students in Neutrino Physics occurs through the international KamLAND collaboration. Operating near Kamioka, Japan, KamLAND is the largest low-energy antineutrino detector ever built for studying the flux and energy spectra produced by neutrinos from neighboring commercial nuclear reactors. This will be the first terrestrial experiment with enough sensitivity to verify or exclude one of the possible solutions to the solar neutrino problem (specifically the large-mixing-angle MSW solution). In addition to observing anti-neutrinos from reactors, KamLAND is expected in the future to observe directly ⁷Be solar neutrinos.

Studies in Nuclear Astrophysics delve into the mysteries of space, searching for answers to the questions posed by phenomena such as solar nuclear reactions, the evolution of the galaxxy, and the influence of nuclear processses on the Universe. Experiments involve measurements of nuclear reactions and decays associated with the synthesis of the elements in the universe and with energy generation in stars. Current projects include the investigation of nucleosynthesis in red giants, novae, x-ray bursts, and supernovae, as well as Big Bang Nucleosynthesis. Other topics of interest include the nature of dark matter in our galaxy and processes involving neutrinos.

Research in Nuclear Theory addresses questions regarding nucleosynthesis, neutrino physics, and the violation of fundamental symmetries at low energies. External theoretical collaborations involve groups from Pisa, Lisbon, Oak Ridge, Los Alamos, Clemson, the American University of Beirut, and Arizona State University.

The majority of our experimental work is carried out at the Triangle Universities Nuclear Laboratory (TUNL). Many experiments there are often performed with specialized Nuclear Instrumentation, unique devices and larger systems which are designed, fabricated, and assembled for experiments by teams of our faculty, technical staff, and students.

TUNL is a cooperative laboratory funded by the U.S. Department of Energy and staffed by researchers from UNC-Chapel HIll, Duke, and NC State University. The UNC-Chapel Hill nuclear theory group is independently supported by a separate DOE grant. Usually all UNC graduate students working in experimental and theoretical nuclear physics are supported from these resources while conducting their thesis research.