Scientists crack a 20-year nuclear mystery behind the creation of gold
5 hours ago
- #nuclear physics
- #beta decay
- #heavy elements
- Scientists made three key discoveries about the nuclear decay steps in the rapid neutron-capture process (r-process), which creates heavy elements like gold.
- They conducted experiments using indium-134 at CERN's ISOLDE facility, achieving the first measurement of neutron energies from beta-delayed two-neutron emission.
- The team observed a predicted single-particle neutron state in tin-133 for the first time in 20 years, challenging the idea that nuclei 'forget' their formation history.
- Another finding was the non-statistical population of this state, indicating that existing nuclear models may not apply to exotic, unstable nuclei far from stability.
- The research used advanced neutron detectors and involved collaboration from multiple institutions, with graduate student Peter Dyszel as the first author.