The physics of heavy nuclei demands an understanding of large amplitude shape changes. Nuclear fission in particular has a prominent role as a source of energy, and as a terminator of r-rocess nucleosynthesis. The quest to extend the chart of nuclides to superheavy elements is sharply constrained by the inverse of fission, the heavy-ion fusion reaction, as well as by the depletion of superheavy progenitors by fission itself. Even after 70+ years since its discovery, nuclear fission remains an active field of experimental research and continues to pose formidable challenges to theory. It is a crucial source of mid-mass isotopes to access the part of the nuclear chart at high neutron excess asymmetry.

The intention of this program is first, bring together theorists trying to build predictive theories of the underlying shape dynamics to compare various approaches and computational methodologies. Hopefully one will see a new era in the theory taking advantage of the large growth in computer resources that theory now has available. In addition, the experimental advances in fission, fusion, and other reactions related to large amplitude shape changes will be an integral part of the program.

Topics to be discussed:

Reevaluation of basic concepts
Microscopic theory and phenomenological approaches
Nuclear interactions and energy density functionals
Time-dependent many-body dynamics
Experimental tests
Experimental data needs
Spectroscopic implications
Computational methodologies for dynamics

See also the more extensive and detailed Shape Dynamics Focus Questions.

Program:

Week 1 9/23-9/27 Schedule

Week 2 9/30-10/4 Schedule

Week 3 10/7-10/11 Schedule

Week 4 10/14-10/18.   Workshop: Experimental status and prospects

Week 5 10/21-10/25 Schedule

Week 6 10/28-11/1.       Heavy-ion fusion theory

Week 7 11/4-11/8.       Applications and phenomenology

11/6-11/8: Workshop on Reactor Neutrinos