Gold and other heavy elements are born in some of the universe’s most violent events—but scientists still struggle to understand the nuclear steps that create them. Now, nuclear physicists have ...

Physicists working with molybdenum-84, a nucleus containing exactly 42 protons and 42 neutrons, have found that this seemingly balanced atom defies one of nuclear physics’ longest-standing ...

Physicists have discovered a surprising new “Island of Inversion” in a place no one expected: among nuclei where the number ...

Scientists use high-energy heavy ion collisions as a new tool to reveal subtleties of nuclear structure with implications for many areas of physics “In this new measurement, we not only quantify the ...

An experiment carried out at CERN's ISOLDE facility has determined the western shore of a small island of atomic nuclei, where conventional nuclear rules break down. Subscribe to our newsletter for ...

Nucleons, comprising protons and neutrons, are not elementary particles but are built from quarks and gluons held together by the strong nuclear force. At typical inter-nucleon distances, effective ...

A five-dimensional model accurately predicts the asymmetric fission of mercury isotopes, advancing our understanding of nuclear fission beyond traditional heavy elements such as uranium and plutonium ...