An international research project led by the University of Surrey has been awarded £215,100 to explore some of the rarest and most unstable forms of matter in the universe
The three-year initiative is in place to create precision measurements of atomic nuclei that exist only fleetingly at the very edges of nuclear stability, with the potential to transform our understanding of how chemical elements are formed during extreme cosmic events.
Funded by the Royal Society’s International Science Partnership Fund, the project brings together researchers from the UK and Japan, including collaborators from Kyushu University and the Radioactive Isotope Beam Factory (RIBF) at RIKEN. RIKEN is one of the world’s leading nuclear physics facilities, capable of producing the most intense beams of exotic atomic nuclei.
Exploring matter at the limits
A huge part of the project is a quest to study isotopes that do not occur naturally on Earth. These neutron-rich and neutron-deficient nuclei can only be created for extremely short periods in advanced laboratories. Despite their fleeting existence, they play a vital role in shaping the universe, particularly during violent astrophysical events such as supernova explosions, neutron-star mergers, and powerful X-ray bursts.
By measuring fundamental properties such as nuclear mass and half-life, researchers hope to gain crucial insights into how atomic nuclei behave under extreme conditions. These measurements are essential for refining theoretical models of nuclear structure and for improving simulations that describe how the heaviest elements in the universe are formed.
Facilities in Japan
Experiments will be carried out at the Rare-Radioactive Isotope Ring (R3) at RIBF, RIKEN. This unique facility allows scientists to capture and repeatedly observe highly unstable nuclei before they decay, enabling the study of isotopes that were previously beyond experimental reach.
Using state-of-the-art detection and storage techniques, the team will explore uncharted regions of the nuclear landscape. Many of the isotopes targeted by the project have little to no existing experimental data, making this work a significant step forward for the field of nuclear physics.
Surrey’s role in advanced instrumentation
The University of Surrey will play an important role in developing the technology needed for these experiments. Researchers in the UK will lead the design, testing, and commissioning of advanced detector systems and data-acquisition tools before the experimental campaign begins in Japan.
This work will ensure that the instruments are capable of meeting the extreme demands of measuring ultra-rare, short-lived nuclei with unprecedented precision. The expertise developed through this process will also contribute to future experiments and strengthen the UK’s capabilities in nuclear instrumentation.
The project represents a significant investment in international collaboration between the UK and Japan. By combining complementary expertise, facilities, and technologies, the partnership aims to push the boundaries of what is experimentally possible in nuclear physics.
The collaboration will also support the training of early-career researchers and help maintain the UK’s position at the forefront of fundamental physics research.
