Gene Sprouse

Abhay Deshpande

Axel Drees

Tom Hemmick

Barbara Jacak

Experimental Nuclear Physics

Presented byBarbara JacakSept. 26, 2005

History of experimental nuclear physics

Cohesive group, currently working in 2 areaslong tradition of joint seminars, joint use of NSL

Initially were five facultySprouse, Lee, McGrath, Paul, Fossan

Added P. Braun-Munzinger and J. StachelThey led a part of the group toward RHIC physicsRecruited Hemmick

When PBM and Johanna leftDepartment decided to put resources into strengthening

RHIC effortMarx joinedRecruited Jacak and Drees to replace

McGrath, Paul moved to administrative jobs, Lee retired

In 2003 LRP

Search for nuclear structure facultyJunior faculty to work with Fossan, SprouseRecruited Pietralla

Broaden RHIC program to include RHIC-spinWith eye to future e-RHICJoint with RBRCRecruited Deshpande

Now

Lost Fossan in 2003 Pietralla leaving

Current strength3+1 faculty at RHIC1 faculty in nuclear structure

The issue

Nuclear is a traditional area of strength at Stony Brook Nuclear & Particle Physics ranks in top 10 nationally

The ONLY SUNY area(s) in physics appearing in national rankings

We produce more students in NP than almost any other institution

Produced many leaders in the physics community Generally more effective to recruit top people into a

highly ranked programMuch more difficult to build up from scratch

Let’s keep our high ranking in experimental Nuclear Physics!

We propose

A search for the BEST nuclear experimentalist Regardless of area

Will make a big impactTaking advantage of existing infrastructure

If nuclear structureShort term: program at Gammasphere, Triumf, or

other user facilitiesLonger term: utilize RIA (together with Sprouse)Can utilize NSL infrastructure to undertake RIA

equipment developmentWe can lead the way nationally on this!

Continuation of options…

If Relativistic Heavy IonsDevelop program at the LHCUse technical infrastructure from the RHIC groupClose intellectual collaboration with RHIC group

& Urs Wiedemann in nuclear theoryLong term physics tie between LHC and eRHIC

physics of gluon condensate If JLAB

Short term: either join RHIC spin or continue at JLAB with a modest program

Long term: eRHIC eRHIC WILL be a joint physics program between RHIC & JLAB

urgency

Loss of Fossan and Pietralla have severely contracted the groupCannot stay at low strength for long and maintain

visibilityActually have lost two faculty members, so replacing

at least one is urgent Have an infrastructure opportunity for next 2 years

$1M evaporator facility coming to SB on loanCan be used for a number of projects

Why this will be good for the department

Nuclear physics has brought good people to Stony BrookThey have gone on to contribute leadership

to the departmentto the universityto BNLnational and international research visibility and service

Nuclear Physics at Stony Brook is well supported by funding agencies