Physics of the atomic nucleus

The aim of this article is to help readers understand the stability of the nucleus, the extraordinarily dense and tiny structure at the heart of the atom. This is a necessary step towards understanding our Universe, from the physics of its elementary constituents to cosmology. Understanding the properties of the nucleus also provides the basis for tackling nuclear techniques (nuclear energy, applications in medicine and biology, imaging, implantation, etc.), which are not covered here.

A few examples of current research on very exotic nuclei and nuclear matter under extreme conditions of angular momentum (spin) or temperature illustrate the concepts of nuclear physics and their possible contributions to other fields, such as particle physics and astrophysics.