Windows on the Universe

What is the origin of the elements?  What is the nature of dense matter? Researchers at Western Michigan University are investigating this confluence of astronomy and nuclear physics with Big Idea funding from the National Science Foundation.  

August 12, 2021 Press Release: Upton Applauds National Science Foundation Grant for Western Michigan University

KALAMAZOO, Mich.The department of physics at WMU has a long history of probing questions of fundamental nuclear physics.  Nuclear astrophysics covers the topic of the rapid neutron-capture process, known as the r-process. Rapid neutron captures can be used to synthesize heavy elements. Physicists use the r-process to understand how heavy elements are quickly assembled in supernova formation. Drs. Zbigniew Chajecki and Mike Famiano received a nearly half million dollar grant to continue their studies towards understanding the physics of the neutron stars, supernovae and other astrophysical objects.

Earlier successful experimentation by Drs. Chajecki and Famiano resulted the creation of the Veto Wall, several publications, invited talks and new collaborations.  This three year project will probe an equation of pressure versus density (EOS) of neutron stars, apply chemical potential scaling to predict neutron spectra, use exotic beams to measure fission barriers, and study the nucleus of mercury. The experiments will be performed primarily at the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) at Michigan State University, at RIKEN Laboratory in Japan, and locally using the Accelerator at WMU.

Dr. Chajecki and Dr. Famiano will provide direct training to both undergraduate and graduate students in a wide range of skills and techniques, preparing them for challenging and important careers in STEM fields and industry. An important part of the project involves scientific outreach through the talks on nuclear astrophysics to Jr. High students in the Kalamazoo area. 

Headshot of Dr. Chajecki

Principal Investigator

Dr. Chajecki is an expert in TPC (time-projection chamber) particle tracking detectors and is leading the preparation of the first Equation of State experiment at the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) at Michigan State University.
Headshot of Dr. Famiano

Co-Principal Investigator

Dr. Famiano has led ongoing research to measure nuclear masses and develop time-of-flight detector techniques. He is an experienced user at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory (NSCL) at Michigan State University. He was a 2019 Fulbright Scholar and conducted his project "Effects of Relativistic Electron Production in Stellar Environments" in Japan.