Nuclear Physics Seminar

The course will cover two main topics: 1) Relativistic heavy ion collisions, and 2) A broad overview of nuclear physics. The precise allocation of time between Item 1 and Item 2 will be based on student interests. The method of instruction will be via discussion rather than formal lectures, with an emphasis on developing physical intuition using simple tools and numerical estimates. Nuclear physics is an ideal venue for this, since it necessarily incorporates classical and quantum physics, hydrodynamics and various empirical approaches in order to deal with the strong interaction. Topics in Item 1 include relativistic kinematics, the underlying high energy physics, flow signatures, the Bjorken model, and the role of the AdS/CFT correspondence from string theory. Heuristic descriptions of the quantum chromodynamics will also be provided, especially a discussion of the true meaning of asymptotic freedom in the context of nuclear collisions. Item 2 will cover traditional nuclear physics on an “as needed” basis, both to elucidate the physics in Item 1 and to respond to student interests. Potential topics include nuclear sizes and shapes, uses and abuses of the Wigner-Eckart theorem, fission and fusion, and nuclear astrophysics in the era of gravitational wave astronomy.