ReseaRch Quality assuRance foR the futuRe a ... - Lund University

Panel 13 – PHYSICS / MATHEMATICS
The group is a relatively small one by international standards and so the
programme should not be too extensive so that their contribution in
each area is substantial. Never-the-less, there are whole areas of particle
physics that are missing, eg neutrinos and particle astrophysics. It might
be worthwhile to consider joining with the astronomers, as is done
elsewhere, in participating in some astrophysics. Also there is a rather
curious separation between two areas of Nuclear Physics; the quark-gluon
plasma, studied by the Experimental High Energy Physicists and Nuclear
Structure, studied by the Nuclear Physicists. This might be rationalised.
2.3.4 Grading for the future programme
of the division of High Energy Physics
The criteria used are those listed concerning the research plans, research
projects, infrastructure and leadership. The panel would rate their plans
for the future to be very good.
2.4 Division on Mathematical Physics
The division is divided into three groups. In this paragraph the assessment
of the Nuclear Structure Theory group is given, the two other
groups are assessed together with the Division of Solid State Physics.
2.4.1 Overall assessment
The group of Nuclear Structure Theory has over many years been one of
the leading groups in theoretical nuclear physics in Europe. The group
has despite its fairly small size been able to manifest itself in numerous
international collaborations, showing its very high visibility on the
international scene. They have made fundamental contributions to the
field of superdeformed nuclei which has been one of the most important
subjects in nuclear physics in recent years. The members of the group
are constantly invited to international conferences, a very significant
sign of a central international position. It is of course well known to
everybody in the scientific community that the high peak of research in
nuclear physics was in the period 1960-90. However, the field is still very
active internationally and new interesting research topics are constantly
coming up, also touching new exciting areas such as chaotic dynamics
for instance (as mentioned above). At this point one has to remember
that Sweden has many nuclear power plants and given the global energy
situation several new plants might be build. In order to have sufficient
scientific background for such an expansion, theoretical nuclear physicists
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