The Department of Chemistry offers graduate studies in nuclear chemistry using the facilities of Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory - the 88-Inch Cyclotron, the Bevalac and the LBL Computer Center. A nuclear theory group works closely with experimentalists in exploring nuclear phenomena. Fellowships, teaching assistantships and research assistantships are available.
Studies of exotic light nuclei and new modes of radioactive decay are conducted at the 88-Inch Cyclotron. Current projects involve in-beam mass measurements of nuclei far from stability; decay studies of beta-delayed proton emitters; spectroscopic studies of unbound nuclei such as 8Be and 2He; and the use of a fast on-line mass analysis system for the study of highly neutron-deficient or neutron-rich isotopes.
The heavy element nuclear and radiochemistry group uses both chemical and physical techniques to investigate the reactions of heavy ions with heavy actinide targets such as 248Cm and 249Bk. Systematic studies of the spontaneous fission process and the limits to nuclear stability are being conducted at the 88-Inch Cyclotron using an on-line rotating wheel system. Preliminary studies are in progress for the Large Einsteinium Activation Program (LEAP), a proposed new initiative to prepare and use a large 254Es target for production of new heavy and superheavy element isotopes for study of chemical and nuclear properties of actinides and transactinides, and for comparison, lanthanides. Computer-controlled automated chemical separation systems are in use for separating and studying nuclear and chemical properties of short-lived isotopes of Md(101) through Ha(105).
The pion spectrometer group at the BEVALAC studies the behavior of nuclear matter at extreme temperatures and compressions in heavy ion collisions at >1 GeV/nucleon. The two-pion correlation measures size, shape, and lifetime of the hot source region. Our group and European collaborators are configuring the 2-meter spectrometer JANUS, with its VAX 11/750 data acquisition system, to search for exotic "pineuts," clusters of neutrons bound to two or more pions. Some X-ray and related studies relevant to inertial fusion research are also being pursued with Stanford collaborators.
Theoretical and experimental studies of the statistical and collective properties of nuclei and nuclear reactions emphasize heavy ion reactions. Relevant collective modes are identified in the intermediate dinuclear system and their excitation is predicted in terms of non-equilibrium statistical mechanics. The limiting thermal equilibrium is evaluated. Experimental studies of the associated observables involve the energies, charge, mass and angular momentum transfer between the two fragments. More detailed experiments study the alignment of the fragment angular momentum after the collision and the effect of fragment magicity on the transfer of various quantities. Theoretical studies of nuclear rotational population patterns in neutron-transfer reactions of heavy nuclei are being performed.
Application of nuclear reactions to chemical studies provides a sensitive means for nondestructive chemical analysis of "difficult" elements such as oxygen, carbon, fluorine, and chlorine, independent of chemical form. Radioisotopes produced by the use of ions accelerated at the 88-Inch Cyclotron are detected by emitted gamma radiation with a sensitivity that extends down to the parts per billion region.
For information contact Professor Darleane C. Hoffman or Graduate Secretary at:
Department of Chemistry
419 Latimer Hall
University of California
Berkeley, CA 94720
PHONE: (415) 642-5882 or (415) 486-4474
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