Precision Electromagnetic Studies of the Structure of Few Body Nuclei and Nucleons at Jefferson Lab

California State L A University Auxiliary Services Inc., Los Angeles CA

Investigators

Abstract

The nuclear physics group at California State University, Los Angeles, studies nuclear structure of low mass nuclei and the structure of the neutron and proton. These studies use the high energy electron accelerator at Thomas Jefferson National Laboratory, and similar lower energy accelerators at other sites. In the present research period we will be leading a group to study the nuclear structure of the most common isotope of helium, helium-4. Helium-4 is an excellent laboratory for testing theoretical models of how neutrons, protons and exotic particles combine to form the nuclear ground state. Helium-4 is also of particular interest because about 25% of the visible mass in the universe is bound up in helium-4 nuclei. Understanding this nucleus will tell us something significant about a large component of the visible universe, as well as serve as a testing ground for nuclear theories. Undergraduate students and graduate students are significantly involved with our research. These students participate in the research in meaningful ways, working directly with us or in teams. They will do and have done data reduction and analysis, contributed to the construction of experimental equipment for approved experiments, participated in running the experiments, and learned how to use Monte Carlo simulation techniques in understanding complex pieces of apparatus. Our goal is to bring students into a research experience as soon as possible in their college careers. This experience serves our students well, either if they decide to go on to graduate level research, or to enter industry, where their background in team work to solve complex problems will be an advantage. High School science teachers have also contributed to our research effort by doing data reduction and analysis. We hope to have a teacher do a Master's thesis in physics using our data.