PhD project: I Astrophysical origins of the heavy elements
Project description
Understanding the astrophysical sites for production of the heavy elements beyond Iron is a major open challenge in physics. About 50% of these elements are thought to be produced explosively in supernovae and/or neutron star mergers where a rapid series of neutron capture reactions can drive the path of nucleosynthesis very far from stability into previously uncharted regions. A knowledge of the properties and decay modes of these exotic nuclei is critical to tell us about the explosive environments in which these elements were formed. New experiments are being performed at the world-leading Radioactive Ion Beam Factory (RIBF) in Tokyo, and the GSI laboratory (Germany) to study these properties using the Advanced Implantation Detector System (AIDA) developed by the Edinburgh NP Group.
Project supervisors
- Professor Phil Woods (School of Physics & Astronomy, University of Edinburgh)
- Professor Tom Davinson (School of Physics & Astronomy, University of Edinburgh)
The project supervisors welcome informal enquiries about this project.
Find out more about this research area
The links below summarise our research in the area(s) relevant to this project:
- Find out more about Nuclear Astrophysics.
- Find out more about Nuclear Physics.
- Find out more about the Institute for Particle and Nuclear Physics.
What next?
- Find out how to apply for our PhD degrees.
- Find out about fees and funding and studentship opportunities.
- View and complete the application form (on the main University website).
- Find out how to contact us for more information.