FYS4575 – Exotic Nuclei
Course description
Course content
This course covers exotic atomic nuclei, and how to study them both experimentally and theoretically. The course gives an introduction to the theoretical background for nuclear structure based on the nuclear shell model, and how to calculate predicted shell structure using KSHELL. It also teaches how exotic nuclei are studied at different specialized facilities around the world, for example at RIKEN Nishina Center, and gives a basic introduction to how to analyze data from these experiments.
Learning outcome
After completing the course, you are able to:
- explain the motivation to study exotic nuclei.
- discuss different phenomena that are observed in exotic nuclei.
- perform shell model calculations using KSHELL, including being able to choose an appropriate model space and effective interaction, and to find energy spectra and transition probabilities.
- interpret results from shell model calculations.
- discuss the production of exotic nuclei using fragmentation and fission.
- describe the functioning of fragment separators, for example, the BigRIPS facility at RIKEN Nishina Center.
- discuss experimental methods to study exotic nuclei.
- analyze multi-parameter experimental data from exotic nuclei.
Admission to the course
Only students enrolled in Nuclear Science (master's two years) or students enrolled in the programme Astronomy (master's two years) may apply. This course should be a part of your approved study plan.
Please fill in the application form.
Contact the Department of Physics if you are unsure if you are eligible to apply.
Recommended previous knowledge
- FYS3500 – Introduction to Nuclear and Particle Physics?
- FYS4570 – Advanced Nuclear Structure?
- FYS4505 – Methods and Instrumentation for Nuclear and Particle Physics
Overlapping courses
- 5 credits overlap with FYS9575 – Exotic Nuclei.
Teaching
The teaching will either be offered in the form of intensive teaching at summer schools; 2 weeks with 30 hours of lectures and 30 hours of hands-on numerical calculations and student presentations, or as self-study.
Attendance at the school when offered as an in-person course is expected.
The students must present their current master or Ph.D project and receive peer feedback from other attendants at the school.
Cost of taking the course
The location of the intensive course may be in Oslo or abroad. If given abroad there will be travel and housing costs. Students can apply to have these costs covered, and the selection of students for grants is based on the relevance of the course for their Ph.D. or master thesis.
Examination
- Final home exam in the form of a project assignment which counts 100% towards the final grade.
The home exam should be written in the form of a scientific paper. It should include the theory taught during the course as well as KSHELL calculations and data analysis as described in the given task.
It will also be counted as one of the three attempts to sit the exam for this course, if you sit the exam for the following course: FYS9575 – Exotic Nuclei
Examination support material
All examination support materials are allowed.
Language of examination
The examination text is given in English, and you submit your response in English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a pass/fail scale. Read more about?the grading system.
Resit an examination
In this course, postponed exams are not offered for exam candidates who are ill before the exam or who become ill during the exam. A deferred submission deadline can be offered.
The illness must be documented with a doctor's certificate dated no later than the ordinary submission date. You must submit the doctor's certificate to the course's contact point before the submission deadline for the home exam.
New exams are not offered to candidates who withdraw or do not pass the regular exam.
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.