Nuclear physics experiments on the synthesis of heavy elements

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Andreas Zilges
• Subject Area: Nuclear and Elementary Particle Physics, Quantum Mechanics, Relativity, Fields
• Term: since 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 544767130

There are many unanswered questions about the synthesis of elements heavier than iron in the universe. The project deals with experimental studies to answer some of these questions. To this end, nuclear reactions at ion accelerators are being investigated using highly sensitive gamma spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. The results can then be used to gain insights into the nuclear reactions in stellar scenarios and into nuclear physics parameters that play a decisive role in the models for nucleosynthesis. The Institute of Nuclear Physics at the University of Cologne has excellent equipment for the experiments; the applicant's working group has many years of expertise on the issues involved.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants