Breakthrough Method Decodes Unstable Nuclei’s Fleeting Behavior in Stars
The research team, including J. E. Drisko, J. O. J. Möller, J. Rotureau, and A. Schwenk, focused on nuclei with broad resonances—highly unstable systems such as hydrogen, helium-6, helium-8, and even four-neutron clusters. These nuclei exist for only fractions of a second, making them hard to study with traditional methods.
The improved method provides a clearer picture of how unstable nuclei behave. This advancement supports further research into nuclear astrophysics, particularly in understanding reactions that power stars and supernovae. The findings also offer a more efficient way to solve complex many-body problems in nuclear theory.
