Nuclear physics articles within Nature

Featured

  • Q&A |

    UK nuclear physicist's award reflects growing political understanding of fusion's importance for energy.

    • Virginia Gewin

  • News |

    The worst nuclear disaster since Chernobyl is unlikely to slow job growth in the industry.

    • Quirin Schiermeier

  • Column |

    Today's reactors are designed to head off Fukushima-style disasters, explains Andrew Sherry. Better blueprints are key to industry safety.

    • Andrew Sherry

  • Column |

    The long-term risks to health of low levels of radiation are still poorly known, says David J. Brenner. A combination of more studies of exposed populations and basic research is needed.

    • David J Brenner

  • World View |

    Fission power must remain a crucial part of the energy mix until renewable energy technologies can be scaled up, argues Charles D. Ferguson.

    • Charles Ferguson

  • News |

    Effects of sanctions and computer worm on uranium production are disputed.

    • Sharon Weinberger

  • Books & Arts |

    Giovanni Frazzetto is captivated by an illustrated biography of Marie and Pierre Curie.

    • Giovanni Frazzetto

  • Books & Arts |

    A balanced biography brings out the many contradictions of nuclear physicist Edward Teller, finds Robert P. Crease.

    • Robert P. Crease

  • News |

    Results from mothballed facility challenge established theory.

    • Eugenie Samuel Reich

  • Letter |

    Atomic nuclei have a shell structure that allows for 'magic numbers' of neutrons and protons, analogous to the noble gases in atomic physics. Knowledge of the properties of single-particle states outside nuclear shell closures in exotic nuclei is important for the fundamental understanding of nuclear structure and nucleosynthesis. Here, a nucleon-transfer technique has been used to measure the single-particle states of 133Sn, revealing the highly magic nature of 132Sn.

    • K. L. Jones
    • , A. S. Adekola
    •  & J. S. Thomas

  • News & Views |

    By swapping the roles of the target and beam in an experiment that is otherwise impossible to implement, researchers have confirmed the doubly magic nature of the neutron-rich radioactive tin isotope 132Sn.

    • Paul Cottle

  • Letter |

    The difference between the mass of an atom and the sum of its building blocks (the binding energy) is a manifestation of Einstein's famous relation E = mc2. Superheavy elements have been observed, but our present knowledge of the binding energy of these nuclides is based only on the detection of their decay products, although they represent the gateway to the predicted 'island of stability'. Here, direct mass measurements of trans-uranium nuclides are reported, providing reliable anchor points en route to the island of stability.

    • M. Block
    • , D. Ackermann
    •  & C. Weber

  • News & Views |

    To discover superheavy elements and study their properties, we need to know the masses of the isotopes of elements heavier than uranium. Weighing these isotopes in an electromagnetic trap has now become possible.

    • Georg Bollen

  • News |

    Precise mass measurement aids the hunt for heavy elements that decay slowly.

    • Geoff Brumfiel

  • News |

    Srikumar Banerjee, head of India's Atomic Energy Commission, outlines plans for the country's energy supply.

    • K. S. Jayaraman

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