Theoretical Nuclear Physics Group
The Theoretical Nuclear Physics Group is part of the School of Mathematics and Physics, with close ties to the Experimental Nuclear Physics Group. We work at the forefront of nuclear physics research, studying the atomic nucleus with a variety of theoretical methods and seek to answer fundamental questions in physics.
Overview
We work at the forefront of nuclear theoretical physics, developing new tools that guide or complement nuclear experiments. We have strong synergies with the Experimental Nuclear Physics Group at the University of Surrey, as well as with other researchers around the world.
Our work includes fundamental blue-skies research to understand the nature of atomic nuclei; how they react together under the strong nuclear force; how the properties of nuclei arise from the combined properties of the protons and neutrons making them up; and how nuclei are formed in reactions in stars.
Our work also includes more applied research; how nuclear reactions for fusion energy can be harnessed; how understand nuclear structure is important for nuclear security; how nuclear theory links with emerging quantum technologies.
Some of our research is computationally demanding and we exploit in-house high performance computing facilities as well as national resources like Distributed Research utilizing Advanced Computing (DiRAC).
Opportunities
Every year we advertise funded PhD studentships and we welcome enquiries from potential fellowship candidates at any time. Please feel free to send informal inquiries to Dr Paul Stevenson.
Featured research projects
Projects we have and are working on include the development of quantum computation algorithms to solve the nuclear many-body problem, and the study of nuclear reactions in stellar environments taking the plasma background into account.
Quantum dynamics: Elements creation in dense stellar plasma
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Meet our team
Professor Paul Stevenson
Head of the Group
Outreach
Our group members consistently participate in outreach activities, like this TEDx talk on Neutron Stars.
Stay connected
Latest tweets
@NucTheorySurrey
