2025 (Current Year) Faculty Courses School of Science Department of Physics Graduate major in Physics
Advanced Nuclear Physics I
- Academic unit or major
- Graduate major in Physics
- Instructor(s)
- Takashi Nakamura
- Class Format
- Lecture (Face-to-face)
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 3-4 Thu
- Class
- -
- Course Code
- PHY.F440
- Number of credits
- 100
- Course offered
- 2025
- Offered quarter
- 1Q
- Syllabus updated
- Mar 31, 2025
- Language
- English
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
Recent advancements in heavy-ion accelerators and rare-isotope (RI) beam separators have enabled the study of neutron-rich nuclei, unveiling new phenomena in nuclear physics. Experiments with RI beams have provided key insights into shell evolution—such as the emergence or disappearance of magic numbers—and the development of neutron-matter distributions, including neutron halos and neutron skins. Neutron-rich nuclei play a crucial role in astrophysical events like core-collapse supernovae and neutron-star mergers. Understanding their properties is essential for explaining nucleosynthesis processes and the internal structure of neutron stars.
In this course, we will discuss the nuclear physics focusing on neutron-rich nuclei which have the unique characteristics. We will discuss experimental techniques, recent discoveries, and their implications for nuclear astrophysics. The course will conclude with an overview of future directions in RI-beam physics and its interdisciplinary connections.
Course description and aims
Students will develop an understanding of how exotic phenomena in neutron-rich nuclei are observed experimentally and how these phenomena can be interpreted using simple and intuitive nuclear models. Additionally, students will explore the role of nuclear physics in describing neutron stars, with a particular focus on the equation of state (EoS) of nuclear matter—a fundamental equation governing neutron-star structure. Students will also learn how the elements (atomic nuclei) are synthesized in the universe.
Keywords
Neutron-rich nuclei, unstable nuclei, neutron halo, neutron skin, loss of magic numbers, shell evolution, neutron star, nucleosynthesis
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
The course will begin with a review of atomic nuclei and unstable nuclei, providing a foundation for understanding their properties. We will then explore experimental techniques used to study unstable nuclei, highlighting their characteristic features and connections to astrophysics through a series of lectures.
Students are encouraged to actively participate by asking questions during and after class. A structured question form will be provided to facilitate discussions outside of lecture hours.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Nuclear physics and physics of unstable nuclei | What are the characteristics of unstable nuclei? |
| Class 2 | How to produce unstable nuclear beam | Explain how to produce unstable nuclear beams? |
| Class 3 | Neutron Halos | How large can a nucleus be? Explain how to probe the microscopic structure of halo. |
| Class 4 | Shell Evolution | Magic numbers are universal? Explain how to obtain the evidence of magicity loss/new magicity in neutron-rich nuclei? |
| Class 5 | Neutron star and neutron skin | Why is a neutron star stable? Explain how infinite number of nucleons behave |
| Class 6 | Nucleo-synthesis | Explain how the atomic nuclei (elements) are synthesized in universe? |
| Class 7 | Perspectives on physics of neutron-rich nuclei and relevant subjects | What are the phenomena revealed in the near future on neutron-rich nuclei? |
Study advice (preparation and review)
To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.
Textbook(s)
Unstable Nuclei (Fuantei-kaku no Butsuri, in Japanese), Kyoritsu-Publishing, Takashi Nakamura
References are shown in classes, when necessary.
Reference books, course materials, etc.
References are shown in classes, when necessary.
Evaluation methods and criteria
Attendance and assignements
Related courses
- PHY.F350 ： Nuclear Physics
- PHY.F441 ： Advance Nuclear Physics II
Prerequisites
One should understand the basics of quantum mechanics
Contact information (e-mail and phone) Notice : Please replace from ”[at]” to ”@”(half-width character).
nakamura[at]phys.sci.isct.ac.jp
Office hours
13:30-14:30 Wednesday