Abstract:

Profound questions about how the atomic nucleus works have challenged physicists since their discovery. These questions are now framed with full recognition for the underlying theory of the strong interactions, QCD. Major impetus arises from the important role of nuclear synthesis in the formation of the elements, such as carbon, on which human life is based. We now investigate a set of nuclear phenomena with precision tools that promise to build a physics bridge spans from QCD to reactions important to nuclear astrophysics. Leadership class computing facilities play a prominent role in building this bridge.