Hadrons and Nuclear Physics

Hadrons – these comprise also the nuclear components protons and neutrons – are made up of quarks that are bound together by their strong interaction. In this programme, the researchers work on fundamental topics such as the quark inclusion in hadrons, the phase transition of quark matter in hadrons, the spontaneous breaking of chiral symmetry of the strong interaction and the connected origin of hadrons and their mass, the characteristics of nuclear multiparticle systems, the exotic nuclei at the border of stability, the creation of superheavy elements and the behaviour of extended nuclear matter in astrophysical objects such as neutron stars and supernovae.

The focus of the programme for the new programme period is on the leading involvement in the international FAIR project (Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research) at the GSI. This world-wide unique accelerator complex is being jointly built by the GSI and the Forschungszentrum Jülich together with national and international partners and will take up operations as from 2017. In addition to building FAIR, both centres are conducting a targeted experimental programme at the existing facilities (UNILAC/SIS 18 and COSY).

Together with the German universities, the GSI adopts a central part in building and using the ALICE detector within the scope of the heavy ion programme at the LHC at CERN. Furthermore, a powerful Tier2 centre for ALICE is operated at the GSI.

The programme’s theory activities with respect to ALICE and the FAIR physics as well as future hadron physics are further strengthened. The topic “Extreme Densities and Temperatures: Cosmic Matter in the Laboratory” is linked with the Helmholtz Alliance EMMI since 2008, with more than 20 international partner institutes involved.