History

Nuclear Physics Division of the Institute of Experimental Physics, Faculty of Physics, University of Warsaw, was created on January 1, 2014 by merging two previously existing groups: old Nuclear Physics Division and Nuclear Spectroscopy Division.

Old Nuclear Physics Division (ZFJA) was separated in 1959 from the Chair of Atomic Physics founded in 1948. From the beginning, the main topics of research were: studies of mechanism of nuclear reactions and the structure of atomic nucleus, development of instrumentation and nuclear methods applied in other branches of science, technology and medicine. In time, due to technological progress and new possibilities to participate in research conducted by international collaborations, the scope of our research was expanding. From 1980-ties we have contributed to a few large international projects which gave us access to modern nuclear facilities and detection systems. We also collaborated closely with other nuclear groups in Poland, in particular with the Heavy Ion Laboratory at the University of Warsaw, which represents an important local base for our experimental programme, mainly in study of nuclear structure.

From the creation to 1991 the ZFJA was lead by Zdzisław Wilhelmi. In years 1991-1997 the head was Christian Droste, and from 1997 till 2010 Krystyna Siwek-Wilczyńska. Afterwards, until merging with ZSJ in 2014 the group was lead by Tomasz Matulewicz.

Nuclear Spectroscopy Division (ZSJ) was created by Rector of UW in 1973. The mission to organize the new group was given to Jan Żylicz working at that time in the Institute of Nuclear Studies (IBJ) at Świerk n/Warsaw. Jan Żylicz was leading the ZSJ until 1994. In years 1994-2009 the head of the ZSJ was Andrzej Płochocki. From 2009 until end of 2013 the group was led by Zenon Janas.

The main research trend of ZSJ was to study the structure and radioactive properties of nuclei far from the beta stability line. Experiments were carried out at almost all leading facilities in the world which could produce exotic nuclei. The list included CERN-Isolde (Switzerland), GSI Darmstadt (Germany), GANIL Caen (France), ILL Grenoble (France), NSCL/MSU East Lansing (USA), ORNL Oak Ridge (USA), Cyclotron Laboratory in Jyväskylä (Finland), and many others. In addition, both in Warsaw and in foreign laboratories, ZSJ was conducting reserach on actinides nuclei, on higher order processes accompanying beta decays, on K-shell ionization of heavy atoms by protons and heavy ions, and on reactions induced by heavy ions. After the Chernobyl accident the members of ZSJ were monitoring the radioactive contamination of Polish territory. A few scientists participated in studies of antiproton interactions with nuclei.