Eur. Phys. J. Plus (2016) 131: 90
https://doi.org/10.1140/epjp/i2016-16090-x

Regular Article

Nuclear Physics with RIB’s: How it all started

¹ School of Physics and Nuclear Energy Engineering, and International Research Center for Nuclei and Particles in Cosmos, Beihang University, Beijing, China
² The Research Center of Nuclear Physics, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan

^* e-mail: tanihata@rcnp.osaka-u.ac.jp

Received: 22 December 2015
Accepted: 20 February 2016
Published online: 12 April 2016

Abstract

Neutron halos were discovered through measurements of interaction cross sections and fragmentation cross sections of nuclei near the neutron drip line. Such measurements became possible with the use of radioactive ion beams (RIBs) produced though projectile fragmentations of high-energy heavy-ion collisions. RIBs were invented 30 years ago at the Bevalac facility in Berkeley. In this article, I describe how they were invented and how neutron halos were discovered. What happened at that time was a series of small serendipities guiding us to the present prosperous field of RIB science.