Special Colloquium: 50 Years SHIP

Special Colloquium - 50 Years SHIP

·         Welcome and Introduction by Thomas Nilsson (GSI & FAIR)

•    Fritz Peter Heßberger (GSI Darmstadt & HI Mainz)

o   Fifty Years of SHIP – The First Decade

The velocity filter SHIP at GSI, a beacon of scientific excellence in nuclear and atomic physics for decades, celebrates its fiftieth anniversary of operation. After a retrospect on the discussion and decisions that eventually led to the construction and realization of SHIP, we present the research program as well as the main technical and experimental developments during the first decade of operation. We discuss pioneering results of studies of complete and incomplete fusion, the discovery of ground-state proton radioactivity, the discovery of the superheavy elements bohrium (Z=107), hassium (Z=108), and meitnerium (Z=109), as well as first attempts to synthesize superheavy elements with atomic numbers Z ≥ 110.We also illustrate pioneering experimental and technical innovations such as the development of rotating wheels equipped with large area targets, spectroscopy of gamma-rays and light particles emitted during the deexcitation of highly excited compound nuclei in delayed coincidence with the evaporation residues (‚recoil decay tagging‘), the use of silicon detectors for particle spectroscopy after in-flight separation of the evaporation residues, the correlation method as a powerful tool for identification of unknown nuclei, and the use of delayed X-ray – SF/α decay coincidences for Z identification in the region of superheavy nuclei.

·         Rolf-Dietmar Herzberg (University of Liverpool)

o   Fifty Years of SHIP – a Journey to the Edges of the World

The velocity filter SHIP has been a central instrument at GSI for my entire life and has had a great impact on the shape of the world-wide scientific landscape over that time.  I will show illustrative highlights from its rich and varied scientific portfolio at the limits of the metaphor: The Journey towards the Island of Stability or the Shores of Proton Radioactivity, to name but a few.  SHIP has shown its remarkable versatility over five decades and today boasts one of the most efficient setups for mass and ground state property measurements for heavy elements.  It has a rich programme in heavy and superheavy nuclear and atomic physics and has pioneered an array of techniques which today are widely employed as standard at facilities around the world. Finally, we will also look towards the horizons to see where the journey may next lead us.

Followed by a buffet reception in the GSI Canteen at 6.30 pm.

Registration is required, both for in-person and online participation!

Zoom Access: 

https://gsi-fair.zoom.us/j/66067309303

Meeting-ID: 660 6730 9303
Kenncode: Coll-2402