Office of Nuclear Physics
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Office of Nuclear Physics (NP) is part of the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Science, dedicated to advancing the understanding of nuclear matter, from the quark-gluon plasma of the early universe to the complex structures of atomic nuclei. It supports experimental and theoretical research to explore the fundamental nature of matter.
Mission
The mission of the Office of Nuclear Physics is to discover, explore, and understand all forms of nuclear matter, aiming to explain how quarks and gluons combine to form protons, neutrons, and nuclei. This includes investigating the properties of nuclear matter under extreme conditions, like those in neutron stars or the early universe.[1]
Parent organization
The Office of Nuclear Physics is under the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science, which supports a broad range of scientific research to advance energy technologies and understand fundamental aspects of the universe.[2]
Legislation
NP operates under the general mandate of the Department of Energy for scientific research, without specific founding legislation.
Partners
- Various universities and national laboratories for research collaborations
- National Science Foundation for nuclear physics research
- International partners for global nuclear science initiatives
Number of employees
Staff numbers specific to NP are not publicly detailed, but it includes researchers, scientists, and administrative personnel across DOE's facilities involved in nuclear physics.
Organization structure
NP's structure includes:
- Facilities and Project Management Division, responsible for managing nuclear physics facilities.
- Research divisions focused on different aspects like heavy ions, medium energy, and nuclear structure.
Leader
The Office of Nuclear Physics is led by a Director.[3]
Divisions
- Heavy Ions
- Medium Energy
- Nuclear Structure and Nuclear Astrophysics
- Fundamental Symmetries
- Theoretical Nuclear Physics
List of programs
- Funding for Small Business Research and Development
- Funding for Accelerated, Inclusive Research (FAIR) initiative
- Electron-Ion Collider (EIC) Project
Last total enacted budget
The specific budget for NP isn't detailed publicly, but it's part of the DOE's Office of Science funding.
Staff
Exact staff numbers for NP are not specified, but it involves a network of scientists, researchers, and support staff across multiple facilities.
Funding
Funding for NP comes from the U.S. Department of Energy's budget, directed towards research grants, facility operations, and development of new nuclear physics technologies.
Services provided
NP supports experimental and theoretical research in nuclear physics, manages user facilities like RHIC and CEBAF, and funds research at universities and labs. It also develops accelerator technology for nuclear experiments.[4]
Regulations overseen
NP does not oversee regulations but supports research that can influence regulatory frameworks in nuclear science and technology.
Headquarters address
1000 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20585, USA
History
The Office of Nuclear Physics has been a crucial part of the DOE since its inception, focusing on fundamental questions about the structure of matter, contributing to both basic science and applied technologies. Its history includes significant milestones like the support for the construction of major facilities like the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC).
External links
References
- ↑ Unknown (August 12, 2024). "NP About". U.S. DOE Office of Science.
- ↑ Unknown (July 14, 2008). "Office of Science - Wikipedia". Wikipedia.
- ↑ Unknown (October 2, 2024). "Nuclear Physics (NP) Homepage". U.S. DOE Office of Science.
- ↑ Unknown (December 4, 2024). "NP Research". U.S. DOE Office of Science.