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Revealing the mysteries of the universe under the skin of an atomic nucleus by Staff Writers Gothenburg, Sweden (SPX) Oct 13, 2022
Massive neutron stars colliding in space are thought to be able to create precious metals such as gold and platinum. The properties of these stars are still an enigma, but the answer may lie beneath the skin of one of the smallest building blocks on Earth - an atomic nucleus of lead. Getting the nucleus of the atom to reveal the secrets of the strong force that governs the interior of neutron stars has proven difficult. Now a new computer model from Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden, can provide answers. In a recently published article in the scientific journal Nature Physics, Chalmers researchers present a breakthrough in the calculation of the atomic nucleus of the heavy and stable element lead.
The strong force plays the main role
A reliable way to make calculations The new computer model from Chalmers, developed together with colleagues in North America and England, now shows the way forward. It enables high precision predictions of properties for the isotope* lead-208 and its so-called 'neutron skin'.
The thickness of the skin matters "We predict that the neutron skin is surprisingly thin, which can provide new insights into the force between the neutrons. A groundbreaking aspect of our model is that it not only provides predictions, but also has the ability to assess theoretical margins of error. This is crucial for being able to make scientific progress," says research leader Christian Forssen, Professor at the Department of Physics at Chalmers.
Model used for the spread of the coronavirus With the new model for lead, it is now possible to evaluate different assumptions about the strong force. The model also makes it possible to make predictions for other atomic nuclei, from the lightest to the heaviest. The breakthrough could lead to much more precise models of, for example, neutron stars and increased knowledge of how these are formed. "The goal for us is to gain a greater understanding of how the strong force behaves in both neutron stars and atomic nuclei. It takes the research one step closer to understanding how, for example, gold and other elements could be created in neutron stars- and at the end of the day it is about understanding the universe," says Christian Forssen.
Research Report:"Ab initio predictions link the neutron skin of 208Pb to nuclear forces"
Milestones achieved on the path to useful quantum technologies Paderborn, Germany (SPX) Oct 07, 2022 Tiny particles that are interconnected despite sometimes being thousands of kilometres apart - Albert Einstein called this 'spooky action at a distance'. Something that would be inexplicable by the laws of classical physics is a fundamental part of quantum physics. Entanglement like this can occur between multiple quantum particles, meaning that certain properties of the particles are intimately linked with each other. Entangled systems containing multiple quantum particles offer significant benef ... read more
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