The Nuclear Science Division, a part of the Physical Sciences Area at Berkeley Lab, conducts basic research aimed at understanding the structure and interactions of nuclei and the forces of nature as manifested in nuclear matter – topics that align the Division with the national program as elucidated in the 2015 U.S. Nuclear Science Long Range Plan.
The Division has major programs in low energy nuclear science, including nuclear structure physics, studies of the heaviest elements, exotic nuclei and light radioactive beams, weak interactions, and nuclear reactions; relativistic heavy ion physics; nuclear theory; nuclear astrophysics and neutrino properties; data evaluation; and advanced instrumentation. The Division also operates the 88-Inch Cyclotron. The 88-Inch Cyclotron is the home of the Berkeley Accelerator Space Effects Facility (BASEF) and supports a local research program in nuclear science. The Nuclear Science Division continues to exploit new opportunities to enable cutting edge science and provides for science education of the general public and students at all levels.
Recent News
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Berkeley Lab researchers contribute to the most precise measurement of double beta decay rate in Mo-100
In a new paper published in Physical Review Letters, the CUPID-Mo Collaboration reports on the most precise measurements of the two-neutrino double beta (2νββ) decay rate and the spectral shape in Mo-100.
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André Walker-Loud elected as one of this year’s APS Fellows
Congratulations to André Walker-Loud who has been announced as one of this year’s APS Fellows for definitive contributions to fundamental symmetries in nucleons and nuclei, utilizing lattice QCD and Effective Field Theory, including the high-precision computation of the nucleon axial coupling.
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Berkeley Lab to Test New Approach to Making Superheavy Elements
Nuclear Science Division researchers are starting to test techniques and equipment for a potential attempt at creating element 120 using the lab’s 88-Inch Cyclotron.