Understanding the mechanisms by which heavy nuclei interact is the primary goal of Professor Mignerey's research program.
Emphasis is placed on experimental work using heavy-ion beams from national accelerator facilities.
Studies at low energy concentrate on the relationship between nucleon exchange and the division of excitation energy between the target and projectile in deep-inelastic reactions. As the beam energy increases, so does the complexity of the possible reactions. A 4p detection system has been developed at Michigan State consisting of a close-packed sphere of gas and plastic scintillation detectors. Dr, Mignerey's group has designed an additional array to be placed at very forward angles for identification of projectile-like reaction products. The goal of these experiments is to reconstruct the fragmentation or break-up of hot nuclear systems over a wide range of excitation energies and impact parameters, from grazing collisions to central collisions.