Nuclear fusion simulations for discovering new elements and detailed description of fission for applications

One of the major questions in science is “Where does the chart of nuclei end?”. The primary method of producing heavier elements has been through fusion of two nuclei.

The fusion probability for these reactions are extremely low and very sensitive on which nuclei are used in the collision as well as their energies.

The first aim of the project is to develop a model of the fusion process that can make accurate theoretical predictions for various fusion reactions and energies in order to guide the planning of experiments for discovering new elements.The project also covers nuclear fission which is a very complex process with a multitude of final channels and measured observables.

Different elements of fission models are sensitive to different data, and good reproduction of one observable does not guarantee quality predictions of another.

In order not to be misled by good agreement with limited data, it is important to develop a detailed and comprehensive approach to the whole fission process which also allows for correlation studies between observables.

This is the second aim and has importance for technological applications as well as inherent importance in nuclear physics.The project covers 36 months at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. The studies of both fusion and fission is based on the indications that the processes are strongly damped.

I will work primarily with Dr. Jørgen Randrup who is one of the founders of the model that the project will build upon.