Journal of Physical Chemistry & Biophysics
Open Access

Star physics in above- and under-ground nuclear physics laboratory

4^th International Conference on Physics

September 17-18, 2018 | Berlin, Germany

Livius Trache

Horia Hulubei National Institute of Physics and Nuclear Engineering, Romania

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Phys Chem Biophys

Abstract :

We have learned so much about the Universe in these few first years of the 21st century that we are wondering if we are in the midst of a revolution in physics similar to that of the first decades of the last century. Many of these discoveries of the 21st century were made by progress in observations of the macro-cosmos, looking above us with better and better tools. Others were coming from the study of the micro-cosmos, and better and more powerful tools were essential here, too. But many of the news from the stars above us rely on data we gather in the terrestrial laboratories. Nuclear reactions are the fuel of the stars and the elemental abundances are fingerprints of the evolution of the Universe, but to understand these broad and well-known statements we need the data of what we call nuclear astrophysics; or better said nuclear physics for astrophysics. These studies are carried out in nuclear physics laboratories, large and small. The author will refer to a few of these, exemplifying with work that the author has done with his group, or he participated to. They are carried out in large institutions around the world, dedicated to the production and use of radioactive nuclear beams or in smaller laboratories hidden underground in order to improve the chances of detection in cases of very poor signal/background ratio. The latter are direct nuclear astrophysics measurements, while the former are using what we call indirect methods. Both cases involve better technologies and the contact with industries was and remains crucial in their realization. That comes in large facilities, pushing the size and power limits of current technologies, or in smaller sizes, insisting on better detector materials and smaller and smaller, but more and more complex and fast electronics and data acquisition systems. The examples used will be from studies of radiative proton capture processes and of carbon burning.

Biography :

Livius Trache is versatile physicist with over 35 years experience of work in several nuclear physics laboratories in Eastern and Western Europe, Russia and USA. Research in experimental nuclear physics, with contributions in nuclear structure, in nuclear astrophysics, and in reactions between heavy ions, including reactions with radioactive nuclear beams. Have developed theoretical models needed to describe the nuclear structure studied, and for new indirect methods for nuclear astrophysics. Experienced in equipment design and construction and also in applied nuclear physics, ranging from the analysis of macroelements and trace elements in archaeological material and in semiconductors using atomic and nuclear methods (XRF, PIXE, neutron activation, proton or deuteron activation), to the detection of nuclear radiation. He lead a nuclear structure group in the Institute for Physics and Nuclear Engineering (IFIN) in Bucharest, Romania from 1983 to 1998 and one at Texas A&M University. He had in the past and he have currently approved experiments in laboratories in Germany, Netherlands, Czech Republic, Italy, France and Japan. Experienced working with large experimental devices or arrangements, like magnetic spectrometers and multidetectors.

E-mail: livius.trache@nipne.ro