Exploring the Deuteron Repulsive Core
 

Dr. Carlos Yero
Tenure-Track Assistant Professor 
Experimental Physics Group
Physics Department
The Catholic University of America

Wed, January 10, 2024 - 4:00 PM

The discovery of the neutron by Chadwick (1932) can easily be regarded
as one of the most influential scientific breakthroughs of the 20th century. It was during this time period that Nuclear Physics cemented its place in history, specially given all the subsequent discoveries that soon followed, and new scientific disciplines, sub-branches and applications that emerged as a result (e.g., particle physics, nuclear astrophysics, nuclear medicine, nuclear reactors, carbon dating) just to name a few. As outstanding the progress made in nuclear physics is and how impactful and beneficial it has been to our society, the most fundamental question remains: How does the nuclear interaction work? More specifically, when protons and neutrons come in close proximity, at extremely short distances (<10−15 m), they must experience a very strong repulsive force that keeps normal matter from collapsing. Unfortunately, not much progress has been made with respect to this aspect of the nuclear force from both a theoretical and experimental standpoint. Understanding this part of the nuclear interaction has far-reaching implications such as in understanding the collapse of very dense neutron stars at extreme temperatures. In this talk, I will give a brief general overview of nuclear physics, with emphasis on deuteron electrodisintegration experiments carried out at Jefferson Lab as well as discuss our most recent experimental results.

Refreshments served at 3:45 PM

If you have any questions about the Colloquium Series  or would like to make a donation please contact the Physics Department, cua-physics@cua.edu or (202) 319-5315.