Reaching Terra Incognita of Exotic Nuclei (ReTIEN) is a key component of an emblematic discovery program dedicated to multi-parameter first observations of neutron-rich exotic nuclei and focusses on understanding nuclear mass, how energy is stored in atomic nuclei and how it may be potentially transformed. It is a fundamental theme in modern nuclear physics and beyond nuclear structure, atomic massess play a role in the search for the origin of the chemical elements in the Universe and their evolution over cosmological timescales, ultimately leading to the world that surrounds us.
Discovering the underlying nuclear transformation pathways is a central issue in astrophysical modelling. In over a century of research, many theories have been constructed to accurately describe experimentally measured masses,yet a generalized and accurate theory for mass predictions, proving that we understand how these systems work, remains exclusive.
Accurate theories require accurate masses measurements as input and accurate predictions can only be delineated by precise mass measuments.
Reaching Terra Incognita of Exotic Nuclei (ReTIEN) aims to make a significant contribution through innovative, high-precision low-rate exotic mass measurements.