The joint nuclear physics research between the world's top basic science research institutions is officially commencing. A delegation of 19 representatives from RIKEN Nishina Center for Accelerator-Based Science, a leading research institution in Japanese nuclear physics, has visited the IBS headquarters to discuss joint nuclear physics research and collaboration between the top basic science research institutions of Korea and Japan.

Led by Director Hiroyoshi SAKURAI, the RIKEN Nishina Center delegation visited Korea on March 13th, holding discussions with President NOH Do Young of IBS on international nuclear physics joint research, personnel exchanges, information sharing, and sustainable cooperation. They subsequently visited the Center for Exotic Nuclear Studies (led by Director HAHN Insik) and the Institute for Rare Isotope Science (IRIS, headed by Managing Director HONG Seung Woo), engaging in discussions with researchers to explore specific collaboration strategies.

▲ RIKEN Nishina Center delegation takes photograph with the IBS representatives

▲ RIKEN Nishina Center delegation tours the facilities and equipment at the IBS Center for Exotic Nuclear Studies

In particular, the RIKEN Nishina Center delegation's visit to the RAON, the premiere heavy ion accelerator in Korea, holds significance as it marks the initiation of comprehensive research cooperation between two research institutions with world-class heavy-ion accelerators. RAON, an innovative heavy-ion accelerator facility, uniquely combines two rare isotope generation methods: ISOL (Isotope Separation On-Line) and IF (In-flight Fragmentation). Following the completion of low-energy operation last year, the facility is set to commence its first utilization research based on the KoBRA (Korea Broad Acceptance Recoil Spectrometer and Apparatus) in May.

▲ RIKEN Nishina Center delegation visited the IBS IRIS on the 14th, group photo of representatives from RIKEN, the IBS Center for Exotic Nuclear Studies, and IRIS

The RIKEN Nishina Center delegation, together with the Center for Exotic Nuclear Studies and IRIS, will discuss various collaboration strategies through group-specific meetings. These include possible joint research topics in rare isotope science utilizing the detectors at RAON. While research cooperation has been previously ongoing, with IBS researchers participating in joint research based on the RIKEN Nishina Center's RIBF, this visit is expected to further strengthen research exchanges through collaboration based on RAON.

▲ Director Hiroyoshi SAKURAI of the RIKEN Nishina Center during his visit to the IRIS

IBS President Noh expressed his anticipation, stating, "We aim to further strengthen joint research conducted at RAON and RIBF, which are the leading heavy-ion accelerators in respective countries. With RIKEN's steadfast support for the commencement of research utilizing RAON, we expect to elevate our competitiveness in nuclear physics research."

The IBS and RIKEN, as the leading basic science research institutions in Korea and Japan, respectively, have steadily conducted joint research across various scientific fields since signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in 2015. In January, a joint RIKEN-IBS conference was held in Japan, culminating in the signing of an MOU between the IBS Center for Exotic Nuclear Studies and the RIKEN Nishina Center. The RIKEN Nishina Center delegation's visit to IBS following the MOU serves as a significant starting point for strengthening nuclear physics collaboration and advancing joint research between the two institutions.

IBS Public Relations Team
William I. such