National Academies Press. Nuclear Physics: Exploring the Heart of Matter

The Committee on the Assessment of and Outlook for Nuclear Physics; Board on Physics and Astronomy; Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences; National Research Council. NAS Press, 2012. 264 p. ISBN: 030926040X, 9780309260404This book explains the research objectives, which include the desire not only to better understand the nature of matter interacting at the nuclear level, but also to describe the state of the universe that existed at the big bang. The report explains how the universe can now be studied in the most advanced colliding-beam accelerators, where strong forces are the dominant interactions, as well as the nature of neutrinos.Nuclear physics today is a diverse field, encompassing research that spans dimensions from a tiny fraction of the volume of the individual particles (neutrons and protons) in the atomic nucleus to the enormous scales of astrophysical objects in the cosmos.
The principal goals of the study were to articulate the scientific rationale and objectives of the field and then to take a long-term strategic view of U.S. nuclear science in the global context for setting future directions for the field. Nuclear Physics: Exploring the Heart of Matter provides a long-term assessment of an outlook for nuclear physics.
The first phase of the report articulates the scientific rationale and objectives of the field, while the second phase provides a global context for the field and its long-term priorities and proposes a framework for progress through 2020 and beyond.
In the second phase of the study, also developing a framework for progress through 2020 and beyond, the committee carefully considered the balance between universities and government facilities in terms of research and workforce development and the role of international collaborations in leveraging future investments.Following Through with The Long-Range Plan
Building the Foundation for the Future
OverviewPlanning for the future
Science QuestionsPerspectives on the Structure of Atomic Nuclei
Revising the Paradigms of Nuclear Structure
Neutron-Rich Matter in the Laboratory and the Cosmos
Nature and Origin of Simple Patterns in Complex Nuclei
Towards a Comprehensive Theory of Nuclei
Nuclear Astrophysics
The Origin of the Elements
The Collapse of a Star
Thermonuclear Explosions
Neutron Stars
Neutrino Messengers
Exploring Quark-Gluon Plasma
Discovery of the N ear- Perfect Liqu id Plasma
Quantifying QGP Properties and Connecting to the Microscopic Laws and Macroscopic Phase Diagram of QCD
Uranium-Uranium collisions
Toward a Theoretical Framework for Strongly Coupled Fluids
The Strong Force and the Internal Structure of Neutrons and Protons
The Basic Properties of Protons and Neutrons: Spatial Maps of Charge and Magnetism
Momentum and Spin within the Proton
In Medium Effects: Building Nuclei with QCD
Identifying the Full Array of Bound States—The Spectroscopy of Mesons and Baryons
Fundamental Symmetries
A Decade of Discovery
The Next Steps
The Precision Frontier
Two Challenges
Underground Science
Fundamental Symmetries Studies in the United States and Internationally
Workforce
Highlight: Diagnosing Cancer with Positron Emission Tomography
Societal Applications and Benefits
Diagnosing and Curing Medical Conditions
Nuclear Imaging of Disease and Functions
New Radioisotopes for Targeted Radioimmunotherapy
Future Technologies in Nuclear Medicine
Making Our Borders and Nation More Secure
Protecting Our Borders from Proliferation of Nuclear Materials
Certifying the Nation’s Nuclear Stockpile
The Greatest Challenge: Nuclear Devices in the Hands of Terrorists or a Rogue Nation
Carbon-Emission-Free Energy for the Future
Nuclear Fission Reactors
Nuclear Fusion Energy
Innovations in Technologies and Applications of Nuclear Science
Addressing Challenges in Medicine, Industry and Basic Science with Accelerators
Free-Electron Lasers
Information and Computer Technologies
Cosmic Rays, Electronic Devices and Nuclear Accelerators
Helping to Understand Climate Effects One Nucleus at a Time
Highlight: Future Leaders in Nuclear Science and its Applications: Stewardship Science Graduate Fellows
Global Nuclear Science
Nuclear Science in the United States
Nuclear Science in Europe
Nuclear Science in Asia, Africa, and Australia
Nuclear Science in Canada and Latin America
U.S. Nuclear Science Leadership in the G-20
Highlight: The Fukushima Event– A Nuclear Detective Story
Nuclear Science Going Forward
Ways of Making Decisions
The Long Range Plan Process
Planning in a Global Context
The Need for Nimbleness
A Nuclear Workforce for the Twenty-first Century
Challenges and Critical Shortages
The Role of Graduate Students and Postdocs
Balance of Investments in Facilities and Universities
Mechanisms for Ensuring a Robust Pipeline
Broadening the Nuclear Workforce
Highlight: Nuclear Crime Scene Forensics
Recommendations
Following Through with the Long-Range Plan
Building the Foundation for the Future
Appendixes
A Statement of Task
B Meeting Agendas
C Biographies of Committee Members
D. Acronyms