Former Ph.D. Students of Henry R. Weller
- Sabourov, Konstantin (2003)
A Unique SEt of Transition Matrix Elements for the 2H(d,gamma)4He Reaction at Ebeam=115 keV
Konstantin has measured vector and tensor
analyzing powers for the D(d,gamma)4He reaction at
the very-low energy of 115 keV. Previous work
resulted in three possible solutions for the
transition matrix elements involved in this
reaction. Konstantin's data result in a unique
solution. We are presently corresponding with
theorists (Dr. Hartmut Hoffman of Erlangen) to
understand and interpret this result. This
reaction is important to understand since it is a
sensitive way to measure the "D-state" of the
alpha particle. This D-state has a huge effect on
the cross section for two deuterons to fuse into
4He, since it allows them to do so in a relative
s-state (ie. no angular momentum barrier).
Konstantin has completed data taking and almost
completed data analysis and interpretation. He is
presently writing his dissertation. I have read
two chapters of his dissertation. Alot of the
many revisions I requested deal with style and
grammar. I expect Konstantin to be able to defend
his dissertation by the spring of 2003.
Update: Dr. Sabourov received his PhD when he
passed his defense in the spring of 2003. The
results of his study were very successful. The
detailed transition matrix elements, both
amplitudes and phases, which he extracted from his
data agreed very well with the final results of
the Microscopic Resonating Group Model
Calculations of Prof. Hartmut Hofmann. The
results of this work have been prepared for
publication, and are presently being edited by Dr.
Hofmann. Meanwhile, Konstantin has accepted a
postdoctoral position with Prof. Albert Young, of
NCSU and TUNL. Konstantin is working on a project
with Dr. Young at the Los Alamos National
Laboratory involving using ultra cold neutrons. - Nelson, Steve O. (2003)
Evidence for a Resonance at Ep=127 keV in the 14N(p,gamma)15O Reaction
Steve is presently a postdoctoral research
associate, with half of his salary being paid by
TUNL, and half of it by the University of
Connecticut. His research is concentrated on a
HIGS project, which is a collaboration with Dr.
Moshe Gai of Uconn. The experiment is to measure
the 16O(gamma,alpha)12C reaction rate. The
inverse reaction is a key reaction in helium
burning processes. Its value, for example,
determines whether a supernova evolves into a
black-hole or a neutron star.
Update:
Steve left Duke and TUNL in June of 2003, and
accepted an NRL Fellowship. He is presently
working at the Naval Research Laboratory.