Physics Colloquium | Rare Isotopes in the Cosmos, Sept 25

The Physics & Astronomy Colloquium Series presents Hendrik Schatz of Michigan State University, discussing "Rare Isotopes in the Cosmos" on September 25. Abstract: Atomic nuclei with short lifetimes of fractions of seconds, so called rare isotopes, play an important role in the universe despite their fleeting existence. They serve as steppingstones for the synthesis of chemical elements, they shape the nature of stellar explosions, and they are the major constituents of neutron stars. I will give an overview of the role of rare isotopes in the cosmos and recent efforts to study astrophysical reactions involving rare isotopes at the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams at Michigan State University. As an example, I will discuss accreting neutron stars. These systems are among the brightest X-ray sources in the sky and exhibit an extraordinary range of rare isotope physics. By combining observations, astrophysical modeling, and nuclear physics experiments they can provide new insights into the behavior of matter under extreme temperatures and densities.