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| Prof Mahananda Dasgupta. Credit: ANU |
In her talk titled Quantum fusion: Quantum coherence and its consequences, Professor Dasgupta will be talking about experiments with nuclei far from stability that are representing an exciting era for science opening up new frontiers in the fields of quantum physics, nuclear physics, astrophysics, materials and medical technology.
The lecture will provide a discussion on nuclear collisions and discuss experiments that have shown dramatic effects of quantum coherence.
To be delivered at ANSTO’s Lucas Heights campus 40 minutes south of Sydney, the science talk is a great opportunity to hear from an international leader in accelerator-based nuclear fusion and fission and gain insight into the challenges of collision dynamics at energies near the fusion barrier.
She was awarded an ARC Queen Elizabeth II Fellowship in 1998, and in 2006 was awarded the prestigious Pawsey medal by the Australian Academy of Science for outstanding research in Physics in Australia by a scientist under 40 years of age. Professor Dasgupta was elected a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science (AAS) in 2011. She was awarded an Australian Laureate Fellowship in 2011.
Abstract from the science talk
Nuclear fusion: Quantum coherence and its consequences
Experiments with nuclei far from stability represent an exciting era for science, as they are opening up new frontiers in the fields of quantum physics, nuclear physics, astrophysics, materials and medical technology.
Underpinning these advances is the knowledge and understanding of the outcomes of nuclear collision. Collision dynamics at energies near the fusion barrier is most challenging, as outcomes are sensitively dependent on the quantum nature of colliding nuclei. Indeed, nuclear collisions, isolated from external environments, are proving to be a unique tool to probe the quantum dynamics of many-body systems. Nuclei are however completely invisible (<10-14 m), and a collision of two nuclei takes only a zeptosecond (10-21 s) - a challenge for experimentalists.
I will describe how we unravel collision dynamics through ingenious experiments providing ‘snapshots’ of this invisible world that are allowing us to advance our understanding of many body quantum dynamics. Our experiments have shown dramatic effects of quantum coherence, resulting in orders of magnitude increases in fusion.
The most recent experiments show a reduction in tunnelling probabilities compared to expectations of standard coherent model of nuclear reactions - the concept of loss of coherence is currently being explored.
Published: 11/03/2013