Nuclear scientists will present the latest research on the fundamental nature of matter at the 2021 Fall Meeting of the APS Division of Nuclear Physics.
Held fully virtually October 11 through October 14, 2021, the meeting includes talks on the neutron lifetime, quark matter, designer molecules, quantum hadrons, catastrophic astrophysical events, and nuclear fission. Sessions cover topics from hadron physics, nuclear astrophysics, and rare isotopes to quantum technology and the frontiers of nuclear science.
Members of the media and student journalists are invited to explore more than 100 live sessions and poster sessions. Featured talks and additional meeting highlights are listed below. Four live news briefings for the press will be held virtually. Please consult the scientific program for the most up-to-date schedule.
Please note all session times are in Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).
Complimentary registration is available to those with APS press credentials on the general meeting registration page. Request press credentials through this form.
News Briefing Schedule
Live virtual news briefings for the 2021 Fall Meeting of the APS Division of Nuclear Physics will be held online. Researchers will take questions from the media. Register at the links below. Recordings of the briefings will be available upon request.
Novel Experiment Measures Neutron Skin in Calcium
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Tuesday, October 12, 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. EDT
This highly-anticipated, long-awaited measurement of the neutron skin of the modestly sized, neutron rich 48Ca nucleus will provide an important benchmark for nuclear theory.
- Caryn Palatchi, University of Virginia, CREX: Precision Measurement of the Neutral Weak Form Factor in Elastic Electron-48Ca Scattering
Quarks and Antiquarks at High Momentum Shake the Foundations of Visible Matter
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Tuesday, October 12, 2:15 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. EDT
SeaQuest’s measurement of light sea-quark flavor asymmetry is surprising as it clearly shows that even at high momentum fractions, antimatter is an important part of the proton.
- Shivangi Prasad, Argonne National Laboratory, Probing the Nucleon Structure Using Drell-Yan Process at SeaQuest
Results from a new transformative measurement of a novel observable that provides direct insight into the origin of the EMC effect, with major implications for our understanding of the QCD structure of visible matter.
- Tyler Kutz, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, First Results From Neutron-Tagged DIS Measurements at JLab With CLAS12 and BAND
The Most Precise Measurement of the Neutron Lifetime
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Wednesday, October 13 at 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. EDT
Gonzalez will present the most precise measurement of the lifetime of the "free" neutron, which, along with the proton, is a building block of atomic nuclei.
- Francisco Gonzalez, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, New Results From the UCN𝜏 Neutron Lifetime Experiment
Surprising Results From Nuclear Reactions Inside Stars
Wednesday, on October 13, 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. EDT
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Preliminary data on the effects of high magnetic fields on accreting neutron stars will be explained, including magnetar accretion and x-ray bursts.
- Michael Famiano, Western Michigan University, Nuclear Reaction Rates in Highly Magnetized Relativistic Plasmas: Effects on Pulsational Pair-Instability Supernovae, Magnetar Nucleosynthesis, and Other Sites
Featured Talks
The Most Precise Measurement of the Neutron Lifetime
A multi-institutional team of physicists will present new measurements that may explain how atomic nuclei formed in the early universe. The huge improvement in precision will finally allow researchers to probe a discrepancy in the standard model. [Forthcoming PRL Paper] [Live News Briefing Registration]
Novel Experiment Measures Neutron Skin in Calcium
First results from a precision measurement of the neutron skin in a calcium nucleus will be announced. “We expect to set a benchmark with this measurement. The neutron skin in lead came out thick relative to our expectations, so we expect the same with calcium,” says Robert Michaels, a staff scientist at Jefferson Lab. [Live News Briefing Registration] Read More
New Results From the RHIC Spin Program
Researchers will present the latest results on contributions of quarks and gluons and future measurement opportunities at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC). The findings will also be published in Physical Review Letters. Read More
Quarks and Antiquarks at High Momentum Shake the Foundations of Visible Matter
Jefferson Lab and Fermilab experiments present new results on nucleon structure. Preliminary results using a novel tagging method could explain the origin of the longstanding nuclear paradox known as the EMC effect. Meanwhile, authors will share next steps after the recent observation of asymmetrical antimatter in the proton. [Live News Briefing Registration] Read More
Nuclear Physicists Track Money Crimes From Ancient Rome to Benjamin Franklin
A new project unearths the history of fraud, forgery, and currency—and might clear Emperor Nero’s name. Read More
Surprising Results From Nuclear Reactions Inside Stars
When extremely high temperatures and magnetic fields meet in space, they change the environments where elements are forged. Preliminary data shows unexpected effects of magnetic fields on neutron stars. “It may actually explain some of the strange behavior that we see in stellar environments,” said Western Michigan University professor Michael Famiano. [Live News Briefing Registration] Read More
To Find Sterile Neutrinos, Think Small
Two small-scale experiments may beat the massive machines pursuing evidence of new physics—and could improve cancer treatment. Read More
Seeking the Star Stuff That Made Us
Novel techniques provide a new picture of cosmic heavy-element formation by unifying theory, observation, and experiment. These complementary approaches are yielding surprising results. Read More
A 5-Sigma Standard Model Anomaly Is Possible
From the moon to the math, latest attempts at breaking CKM matrix unitarity—and discovering new physics. Read More
Additional Meeting Highlights
9:30 a.m. EDT Designer Molecules
In July, a study of radium monofluoride reported results that might help explain nuclear phenomena and why there’s so little antimatter in the universe. Now the team shows how to customize RaF nuclei one neutron at a time—potentially allowing scientists to turn on and off interactions within molecules and explore violations of fundamental symmetries. [Abstract], Silviu-Marian Udrescu, sudrescu@mit.edu
9:30 a.m. EDT Primordial Flavor
Strangeness, charm, and beauty reveal the inner workings of the early universe, extreme nuclear matter, and the physics of parton showers in this mini-symposium on hadrons. “This is the first calculation of heavy flavor jet production at the Electron-Ion Collider,” said invited speaker and physicist Ivan Vitev. [Abstracts] [PRL Paper] [Preprint], Ivan M. Vitev, ivitev@lanl.gov
10:54 a.m. EDT First Hadrons on a Quantum Computer
Scientists have succeeded in simulating hadrons on a quantum computer, unlocking key elements of the lattice gauge theory that describes all matter. [Abstract], Jinglei Zhang, jingleizl@gmail.com
10:54 a.m. EDT Stellar Toothpaste
Why is fluorine so rare in the universe? Counting bubbles using a new detector might hold clues, illuminating the reaction rate at which stars produce the ingredient in drinking water, toothpaste, and Teflon. [Abstract], David Neto, dneto2@uic.edu
11:45 a.m. EDT A Single Physical Property Sets the Complexity of Quantum Simulation
New results solve a problem that remained open for two decades and bring the quantum simulation of condensed-matter, nuclear, and high-energy physics closer to reality. [Abstract] [Nature Paper], Burak Sahinoglu, sahinoglu@lanl.gov
12:33 p.m. EDT Why Deuterons Disintegrate Differently
Baffling recent experiments on deuteron disintegration have defied known nuclear interpretations. Now theorists think they have an explanation: New structures hide in the heart of the deuteron at very short distances. The research may change what we know about neutron stars and the stability of matter in the universe. [Abstract], Misak M. Sargsian, sargsian@fiu.edu
12:57 p.m. EDT The Shape of Nuclei
Smashing deformed nuclei together takes a snapshot of the nuclei shape. The new imaging method by the STAR Collaboration, using high-energy nuclear collisions, has revealed a rugby-ball shape in ruthenium-96 and a pear shape in zirconium-96. [Abstract], Chunjian Zhang, chun-jian.zhang@stonybrook.edu
1:09 p.m. EDT Excited Tritons
Preliminary data could reveal the first experimental evidence for an excited state in the triton, a heavier version of the proton with two extra neutrons, but alternative explanations need to be excluded. [Abstract], Cody E. Parker, ceparker@comp.tamu.edu
3:12 p.m. EDT Symmetry Violations Thanks to the Neutron Electric Dipole Moment
Updated analysis on tests for the neutron electric dipole moment could shape the search for Lorentz symmetry violation. [Abstract],
Prajwal T. MohanMurthy, prajwal@alum.mit.edu
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