Scientific and social impact
The long-term vision of the proposed described in this proposal is to contribute to the worldwide on-going scientific efforts to understand the synthesis and origin of the p-nuclei and explain the observed discrepancies between their solar system abundances and those predicted by the various p-process models. This way, scientists will be able not only to explain the isotopic composition of the solar system but also to elucidate further our fundamental picture of its creation that still remains diffuse. In practice, we expect to publish up to eight high-quality papers in refereed journals with high-impact factor and peer-reviewed proceedings. We also plan at least four oral presentations in knowledgeable international conferences.
In our dissemination plan, we also foresee to produce a 15-minute-long popularized video on stellar nucleosynthesis for the layman and high-school pupils and organize two to three scientific seminars for the general public accompanied by guided tours of the TANDEM accelerator of “Demokritos”. The team proposing this project has given numerous guided tours of the accelerator to the general public. In addition, almost 1000 high-school students visit the lab every year and are introduced in the world of the nuclear micro-cosmos. The topic of nuclear astrophysics attracts the attention of many visitors, who enthusiastically disseminate information further to their colleagues and friends.
For the implementation of ARENA, it is foreseen to provide three (3) work contracts to two postdoctoral fellows and one MS-degree holder. After proper training, the latter will support the operation of the TANDEM accelerator during time-consuming measurements and contribute to the installation and commissioning of instruments. The two postdoctoral fellows will perform experiments with unique scientific instruments, join measurements in Cape Town and Cologne. They will also engage in theoretical calculations and participate in international conferences, expanding this way their scientific horizons. Hence, ARENA could contribute to the battle against the brain drain of young scientists.
Finally, it is worth recalling again that the vast majority of the experiments of ARENA will be conducted at the CALIBRA national research infrastructure, currently co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). Hence, funding the ARENA proposal would not only provide resources to conduct forefront fundamental research, which is one of the missions of HFRI (ΕΔΙΔΕΚ), but also contribute decisively to exploitation of a Research Infrastructure for which considerable regional funds are invested, and demonstrate this way the impact of ERDF funds in science and training of young scientists.
