The Institute for Basic Science (IBS) announced the first physics research results utilizing the Korean heavy ion accelerator 'RAON'. This result confirmed the limitations of existing nuclear reaction models through accelerator-based experimental data.

IBS announced on the 23rd that research results conducted by the Rare Nuclear Research Group in collaboration with the Institute of Heavy Ion Accelerator (IRIS) have been published in the international academic journal 'Results in Physics'.

The research team measured low-energy elastic scattering data of argon-40 (40Ar) and protons. The experiment was conducted in a low-energy region near the 'Coulomb barrier,' a critical region in nuclear reactions.

To this end, an ion beam accelerated by RAON was delivered to a hydrogen target via KoBRA (beamline device), and the energy and angle of the scattered particles were measured using a self-developed detector (ELARK).

In this process, new experimental data were obtained in the 4.4, 5.9, and 8.3 MeV/u regions.

Comparing the acquired data with existing nuclear reaction models, it was found that the existing global optical potential model fails to sufficiently explain scattering data in the low-energy region.

Based on experimental data, the research team derived a new optical potential suitable for the corresponding energy conditions.

Nuclear reaction models are fundamental tools for interpreting the process of nuclear collisions, and securing experimental data is essential for constructing a highly reliable model.

This study is significant as it is the first physics paper to utilize the RAON beam. It is a case that led to actual research results following the successful beam extraction in 2023 and the pilot operation in 2024.

The research team stated that this data could be used in the future for research on rare nuclear structures, nuclear astrophysics, and low-energy nuclear reactions.

IBS explained that RAON has entered the stage of producing research results in earnest.