Prof. Dr. Michael Wiescher

Profile

Academic positionFull Professor
Research fieldsNuclear Physics,Astrophysics
Keywordsnuclear reaction studies, nucleosynthesis

Current contact address

CountryUnited States of America
CityNotre Dame
InstitutionUniversity of Notre Dame
InstituteDepartment of Physics

Host during sponsorship

Prof. Dr. Walter F. HenningGSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH, Darmstadt
Prof. Dr. Karlheinz LangankeGSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH, Darmstadt
Start of initial sponsorship01/10/2007

Programme(s)

2007Humboldt Research Award Programme

Nominator's project description

Professor Michael Wiescher is a world-leading scientist in experimental nuclear astrophysics with numerous contributions to the determination of key nuclear reaction rates for the understanding of stellar evolution and the synthesis of the elements in the Universe. He is particularly well known for the use of novel techniques involving radioactive ion beams in measuring important reactions relevant in explosive astrophysical environments. For his work Professor Wiescher received several awards, including the prestigious Bethe Prize of the American Physical Society. During his stay in Germany, he intends to work on the nuclear reactions leading to the formation of 60Fe, which has been found in sediments on the deep-ocean floor and is related to a rather nearby supernova a few million years ago. Professor Wiescher is hosted by Professor Walter Henning and Karlheinz Langanke from the Gesellschaft für Schwerionenforschung GSI in Darmstadt.