Physics

High Energy Nuclear Physics

A subfield of physics studies collisions or decays with energy in the hundreds of megaelectronvolt range with the goal to understand the characteristics and behaviors of elementary particles. Investigating nuclear matter in harsh environments, such the Quark-Gluon Plasma that persisted for about a microsecond after the Big Bang, is the focus of high-energy nuclear research. Once classified as subjects under particle physics, this discipline has expanded to include the study of exotic mesons, multi-GeV reactions, and the quark-gluon plasma.

• Nuclear decay
• Nuclear fusion
• Nuclear fission
• Production of "heavy" elements
• Nuclear matter