INFN is one of the largest public research agencies in Europe —with scientific, financial and accounting autonomy— dedicated to the study of the fundamental constituents of matter. It conducts theoretical and experimental research in the fields of Subnuclear, Nuclear, and Astroparticle Physics. Fundamental research in these areas requires the use of cutting-edge technologies and instrumentation, which INFN develops both in its own laboratories and in collaboration with the world of industry. Moreover, INFN promotes the application of skills, methods, and experimental techniques developed in the course of its own research to other fields, such as medicine, artistic preservation, and environmental protection.
Research activity at INFN is carried out at two complementary types of facilities: the Divisions (Sezioni) and the National Laboratories. The Divisions are mostly located at university physics departments, thus providing a direct connection between the Institute and the academic world. Today, INFN researchers make important contributions to research in various European laboratories, as well as in numerous research centers worldwide, often in the context of large international collaborations.
Relevant experience
At INFN there exists a recognized expertise on studies of low-energy nuclear reactions, induced both by charged particles and neutron beams.
Role and main tasks
Within the CHANDA project, INFN team will participate in Task 2.1, identifying possible synergies between the project and fundamental nuclear physics and other applications. It will be responsible for Task 7.2, regarding the development of total energy detectors for capture cross section measurements, to be used at the short flight-path experimental area at n_TOF, CERN. It will also coordinate Task 8.1, devoted to the development of new techniques and instrumentation for fission cross section measurements, and Task 12.4, in collaboration with Ansaldo Nucleare S.p.A., on the feasibility of a new infrastructure for studies of transmutation and fast nuclear system concepts.
Scientific and technical personnel involved:
- Dr. Nicola Colonna: First Researcher of INFN at the Section of Bari. Started his carreer in 1988. He has conducted research activities in the field of Experimental Nuclear Physics, in particular, in measurements of neutron-induced reactions. His fields of expertise include also neutron detectors and simulations of neutron transport. In CHANDA, he will be coordinating Task 7.2 and 8.1, both regarding developments of new detectors and experimental techniques for neutron cross section measurements.
Since 2001, Dr. Colonna has been leading the INFN team in the n_TOF project at CERN, dedicated to studies of neutron cross- sections for Astrophysics and Emerging Nuclear Technologies. He has participated to EC projects n- TOF-ND-ADS (FP V), EUROTRANS (FP VI), and ANDES (FP VII). He has been involved in a Coordinated Research Project of IAEA (Minor Actinide Neutron Reaction Data (MANREAD)), and is currently Financial Coordinator of the n_TOF Collaboration. He is co-author of more than 100 articles on refereed journals, has presented numerous invited talks to international conferences, and is tutor of several PhD. theses.
- Dr. Marco Ripani: Research Scientist at INFN since 1992 and First Researcher (senior research scientist) since 2006. He has been working for nearly 20 years in the field of Experimental Nuclear Physics and is author of 187 papers on refereed journals. During 2009-2011 he has been spokesperson of the international collaboration CLAS in Hall B at Jefferson Lab, aimed at measuring hadron properties with electromagnetic probes. He is currently local coordinator of the nuclear physics group at INFN Genova and national coordinator of INFN-Energy strategic project. Within INFN-Energy, he is particularly involved in the studies of fast lead-cooled subcritical systems driven by ion beams. As part of this activity, he participates to the EU project FREYA for measurements at the Guinevere assembly in Mol, Belgium. In CHANDA, he will be coordinating Task 12.4, on the feasibility study of a new infrastructure for studies related to transmutation and fast reactors systems.