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Rutgers nuclear physicists study 'magic' nature of tin

Researchers at Rutgers University studied the doubly magic isotope of tin with 50 protons and 82 neutrons, providing insights into its stability and potential formation in supernova explosions. The study's findings may also contribute to developing next-generation nuclear reactors and forensic analysis techniques.

SourceRutgers University·JournalNature·DateAug 6, 2010

Refining a cosmic clock

Experiments at CERN and Karlsruhe have clarified the processes affecting osmium-187 abundance, reducing uncertainties in the rhenium-osmium cosmic clock. This allows for a more accurate estimate of our galaxy's age.

SourceAmerican Physical Society·JournalPhysical Review C·DateJul 15, 2010

Pinning down a proton

Researchers have developed a new method for describing proton and neutron binding in nuclei, enabling more accurate predictions of astrophysical reactions. This breakthrough may improve our understanding of star life cycles.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateApr 14, 2010

Extra large carbon

Carbon-22 has a nucleus comprised of 16 neutrons and 6 protons, exhibiting an unexpected stability due to its halo structure. The discovery sets a new milestone in nuclear physics, with implications for the investigation of heavier and more exotic nuclei.

SourceAmerican Physical Society·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateFeb 8, 2010

Golden ratio discovered in a quantum world

Researchers observed a nanoscale guitar string-like behavior in cobalt niobate, with atomic scale vibrations exhibiting the golden ratio. This discovery reflects a hidden symmetry and special property of the quantum system, with potential implications for future technology.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalScience·DateJan 7, 2010

Spinons -- confined like quarks

Scientists have observed a phenomenon known as confinement of spinons in a condensed matter system, where individual particles behave like quarks. The researchers used neutron scattering experiments to study the crystal and magnetic structure, finding evidence for the confinement idea.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalNature Physics·DateNov 29, 2009

Large-scale cousin of elusive 'magnetic monopoles' found at NIST

A team at NIST has discovered a large-scale compound that behaves like magnetic monopoles, enabling the testing of theoretical predictions about these elusive particles. The researchers created this compound by cooling a specific material to nearly absolute zero, forming spin ice crystals with balanced spins.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalJournal of the Physical Society of Japan·DateOct 6, 2009

Researcher nabs 'doubly magic' tin isotope

Researchers have made groundbreaking measurements of rare tin, cadmium, and indium nuclei, refining theoretical models about element creation in the cosmos. The discovery of Tin-100, a 'holy grail' of experimental nuclear physics, marks a major breakthrough in understanding nuclear stability.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateDec 11, 2008

Listening to dark matter

A team of researchers in Canada has made a breakthrough in detecting dark matter by identifying a significant difference between acoustic signals induced by neutrons and alpha particles. This discovery could lead to improved background suppression in dark matter searches using this type of detector.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalNew Journal of Physics·DateOct 16, 2008

3-D imaging -- first insights into magnetic fields

Scientists at HMI and University of Applied Sciences in Berlin have successfully visualized three-dimensional images of magnetic fields inside solid, non-transparent materials. By detecting changes in neutron spin rotation, the researchers can reconstruct a three-dimensional image of the magnetic field distribution within the sample.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalNature Physics·DateMar 30, 2008

Nuclear physicists examine oxygen's limits

Researchers at Michigan State University have made a unique measurement of an exotic oxygen nucleus, confirming a theoretical model predicting dramatic changes in structure as oxygen nuclei approach their limits. The experiment used new detection tools, making it possible to explore isotopes near the extreme edges of existence.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateSep 13, 2007

NASA: Astronomers pioneer new method for probing exotic matter

Astronomers have pioneered a new technique to measure the properties of neutron stars, allowing them to study the extreme conditions under which matter is packed. Using XMM-Newton and Suzaku satellites, scientists observed distorted space-time around three neutron stars, confirming predictions by Einstein's theory of general relativity.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateAug 27, 2007