Nuclear Physics

The aim of the course is that the student is eventually able to understand the issues of current interest in nuclear physics, being capable to orient himself/herself in the literature on nuclear structure and reactions. In the first part of the course, the main features of the interaction among nucleons, the properties of the nuclear ground-states, the limits of nuclear stability and the main aspects of the nuclear spectra are introduced. In the second part, the basic notions on nuclear reactions are discussed. The course ends with a short discussion of the applications of nuclear physics to astrophysics. In the course, comments about the present status of our knowledge and about the open problems that are object of active research, are included.

1.The student will know the main features of the interaction among nucleons in vacuum and in the nuclear medium.
2.The student will have a general knowledge of the structure of the nuclear ground-state, of shell structure, as well as of deformation and superfluid phenomena. The student will also know the limits of nuclear stability.
3.The student will know the general features of the nuclear spectra.
4.The student will distinguish the main types of nuclear reactions (direct or compound nucleus reactions, elastic, inelastic and transfer reactions).
5.The student will know the general features of nuclear fission and of heavy-ion fusion.
6.The student will know the main applications of nuclear physics to astrophysical processes (reactions within stars, nucleosynthesis, compact objects)