NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS
Experimental Nuclear Physics
Overview
The experimental nuclear group is active in studies of
fundamental symmetries of neutrons and nuclei,
astroparticle physics, and a variety of applied topics in
nuclear structure and nuclear technology. One of the
focus areas for the group is experiments which utilize
ultracold neutrons, where the NCSU group plays a
leading role in the neutron static electric dipole
moment (nEDM) experiment; in several innovative,
high precision measurements of neutron beta-decay
(UCNA and the NIST lifetime experiment); and in the
development of next generation ultracold neutron
sources. We are also involved in neutrinoless double
beta-decay and dark matter experiments, nuclear
structure measurements on a wide variety of nuclei
and nuclear systems, and some research directed to
applications of nuclear technology for engineering and
industrial problems.
Our faculty are members of the Triangle Universities
Nuclear Laboratory (TUNL), a DOE Center of
Excellence which offers a unique suite of low energy,
polarized particle beams, the High Intensity GammaRay Source, and cryogenic facilities for local
experiments. On the NCSU campus, we also perform
research at the PULSTAR reactor, where we are
building a world-class ultracold neutron source. Our
research is funded by the Department of Energy and
the National Science Foundation.
.NC STATE Physics.
Faculty Members and Research Interests
Robert Golub
Prof. Golub’s research interests include symmetry
violations, in particular T violation and the search for
a neutron electric dipole moment. Much of his current
research involves the use of ultracold neutrons as a
tool for applied and fundamental research. Another
common theme is the use of low energy particle spin
dynamics, including NMR techniques and applications
www.physics.ncsu.edu
to exotic neutron scattering instruments. His current
experimental work is focused on ultracold neutrons,
3
He NMR, and the development of imaging
techniques. He is also working on the design and
construction of an apparatus to study the interaction of
UCN with 3He as a prototype for the search for the
nEDM project. (rgolub@ncsu.edu)
David Haase
Prof. Haase employs experimental techniques in low
temperature and condensed matter physics in the study
of the properties of neutrons and nuclei. He and his
students have constructed refrigerators and devices to
polarize nuclear targets for neutron scattering
experiments. His current project is the development
of the cryogenic systems for the neutron electric
dipole moment (nEDM) experiment that is being
prepared for construction at Oak Ridge National
Laboratory. (david_haase@ncsu.edu)
Paul Huffman
Prof. Huffman is the technical coordinator and deputy
contract project manager for the nEDM project. He is
also the leader of the NIST lifetime experiment, which
magnetically traps ultracold neutrons produced in
superfluid helium and then measures their decay in
situ to extract the neutron lifetime. Prof. Huffman is
also involved in the development of the fundamental
nuclear physics beamline at the Spallation Neutron
Source at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. His
research spans a wide range of neutron-related topics,
and also includes the measurement of coherent
scattering amplitudes in low-Z nuclei, fundamental
symmetries tests in nuclei, and the use of thermal
neutrons for 3D imaging. (paul_huffman@ncsu.edu)
John Kelley
At the Triangle Universities Nuclear Laboratory, Prof.
Kelley is involved in research utilizing the High
Intensity Gamma-Ray Source (HIGS). In the tandem
laboratory, neutron beam experiments are carried out
to refine neutron reaction cross sections that are
essential for projects in energy generation, national
security, transmutation of waste, and basic research.
At HIGS, high-resolution studies using Nuclear
Resonance Fluoresence techniques (NRF) are
searching for new levels. The beams from HIGS
provide an excellent tool for discovering levels and
characterizing their properties. In addition to studies
of nuclei in the actinide region, recent NRF studies
have focused on characterizing the pygmy dipole
resonance, which is a collective excitation mode in
some neutron-rich nuclei. He is also active in the
Data Evaluation Group at the Triangle Universities
Nuclear Laboratory. (kelley@tunl.duke.edu)
Albert Young
Prof. Young’s research uses neutrons and nuclei to
probe aspects of the particle physics standard model.
He helps lead the UCNA project at Los Alamos,
which measures angular correlations in neutron decay
using ultracold neutrons. He also helped develop the
solid deuterium ultracold neutron source at Los
Alamos (the only operating source of extracted
ultracold neutrons in the U.S.), and he is involved in
the construction of an ultracold neutron source at the
PULSTAR reactor on NCSU campus. His research
interests include neutrinoless double beta-decay,
symmetry tests in nuclear beta-decay and some
biomedical applications. (albert_young@ncsu.edu)
Further Information
We encourage interested applicants to learn more through the experimental nuclear physics group webpage,
http://www.physics.ncsu.edu/experimentalnuclearphysics. Prospective students can contact any faculty member
directly (see email addresses above) or the Graduate Program office at py-grad-program@ncsu.edu.
.NC STATE Physics.
www.physics.ncsu.edu