WILLIAM BERTOZZI, Professor
of Physics

Research Interests
Professor Bertozzi is the principal investigator leading the Nuclear
Interactions Group of the MIT Laboratory for Nuclear Science. The
research program investigates the structure of nucleons and nuclei
using high energy electrons and photons as probes. Experiments are
performed at the accelerator facilities of the MIT Bates Linear
Accelerator Center, the University of Mainz and the Thomas Jefferson
National Accelerator Laboratory. The well understood electromagnetic
interaction is used to determine the charge, current and magnetization
responsible for reactions that lead to a better understanding of
the forces between nucleons in a nucleus and the quarks in a nucleon.
Topics of study include:
- The non-spherical components of the nucleon and non-central
character of the force between the constituents of nucleons.
- The origin of the spin or angular momentum of the nucleons.
- The origin of the non-nucleonic components of the currents in
nuclei.
- The possible modification of the structure of nucleons in nuclei
compared to the structure of free nucleons.
- The structure of light nuclear systems and the testing of modern
theoretical models of nuclei.
- The short distance behavior of the force between nucleons in
nuclei and other questions of topical and fundamental interest.
The unifying central theme of the research is the understanding
of strongly interacting systems via the discovery of new phenomena
and the comparison with modern theoretical models and concepts.
The central goal is to determine the role played by quarks, mesons
and nucleons in the making of nuclear and nucleon systems.
As part of the program, novel instrumental modalities are developed
as needed. These have included particle detection and precision
tracking, particle polarimetry, cryogenic targetry and particle
spectrometry. In addition to Professor Bertozzi, the Nuclear Interactions
Group includes approximately five Ph.D. research staff members and
ten graduate students. The research is emphasized as an important
component of graduate education. Undergraduate participation is
encouraged.
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Biographical Sketch
Forthcoming. Selected Publications
Forthcoming.

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