SSH is proud to celebrate the remarkable achievements of Dr. Rayner Roberto Rodriguez Guzman, an associate professor in the Department of Physics. Since joining NU in April 2024, Dr. Rodriguez Guzman has successfully published three research articles in two of the most prestigious journals in the field of nuclear structure theory—Physical Review C and the Journal of Physics G. Both journals are recognized as Q1 Scopus Journals, where the most significant contributions to nuclear structure theory are systematically published.
Dr. Rodriguez Guzman’s research publications are an integral part of the currently developing nuclear theory program at NU. This pioneering program aspires to be a significant addition to the university’s research portfolio, contributing to the diversification of its scientific endeavors. Furthermore, recent national decisions emphasize the importance of fostering expertise in nuclear research. Currently, two MSc students are working under his supervision, further strengthening NU’s commitment to advanced research training in this crucial field.
Research Publications and Findings
Dr. Rodriguez Guzman’s recent research addresses two fundamental aspects of this problem: the microscopic description of spontaneous nuclear fission and the intricate interplay between various nuclear deformations. These studies provide essential theoretical insights into the properties of atomic nuclei and the limits of nuclear stability.
1) “Microscopic description of spontaneous fission based on a Gogny energy density functional including tensor contributions”, J. Phys. G: Nucl. Part. Phys. 51, 115102 (2024)
2) “Microscopic description of quadrupole-hexadecapole coupling in radium, thorium, uranium, and plutonium isotopes with the Gogny energy density functional, Physical Review 111, 024304 (2025)
3) “Quadrupole-hexadecapole correlations in neutron-rich samarium and gadolinium isotopes”, Physical Review 111, 024301 (2025).
Dr. Rodriguez Guzman’s research endeavors have received further support through the recently awarded Faculty Development Competitive Research Grant (FDCRGP) for the project "Nuclear Structure with a Microscopic Perspective". This grant will further develop existing and/or create new state-of-the-art theoretical tools and will study fundamental aspects of nuclear structure, such as:
Dr. Rodriguez Guzman’s scientific research and his commitment to building a robust nuclear theory program at NU represent a significant milestone in advancing the university’s scientific impact. His work not only enhances our understanding of fundamental nuclear processes but also contributes to the development of a new generation of nuclear physicists at NU.
Dr. Rodriguez Guzman’s research publications are an integral part of the currently developing nuclear theory program at NU. This pioneering program aspires to be a significant addition to the university’s research portfolio, contributing to the diversification of its scientific endeavors. Furthermore, recent national decisions emphasize the importance of fostering expertise in nuclear research. Currently, two MSc students are working under his supervision, further strengthening NU’s commitment to advanced research training in this crucial field.
Research Publications and Findings
Dr. Rodriguez Guzman’s recent research addresses two fundamental aspects of this problem: the microscopic description of spontaneous nuclear fission and the intricate interplay between various nuclear deformations. These studies provide essential theoretical insights into the properties of atomic nuclei and the limits of nuclear stability.
1) “Microscopic description of spontaneous fission based on a Gogny energy density functional including tensor contributions”, J. Phys. G: Nucl. Part. Phys. 51, 115102 (2024)
- For the first time, it has been shown, using state-of-the-art theoretical tools, that tensor nuclear contributions can impact the spontaneous fission half-lives of heavy atomic nuclei by reducing the inner barriers of the process. Such a study did not exist previously and opens the way for further refinements in our understanding of such an important decay channel in heavy and superheavy atomic nuclei.
2) “Microscopic description of quadrupole-hexadecapole coupling in radium, thorium, uranium, and plutonium isotopes with the Gogny energy density functional, Physical Review 111, 024304 (2025)
3) “Quadrupole-hexadecapole correlations in neutron-rich samarium and gadolinium isotopes”, Physical Review 111, 024301 (2025).
- Atomic nuclei exhibit a variety of shapes characterized by the corresponding deformations. In these two articles, using very sophisticated theoretical tools, we have shown the significant interplay between quadrupole and hexadecapole nuclear deformations and the impact of such a coupling in several nuclear properties specially for Radium, Thorium, Uranium and Plutonium isotopes. This opens the way to better understand basic quantum fingerprints in those nuclei.
Dr. Rodriguez Guzman’s research endeavors have received further support through the recently awarded Faculty Development Competitive Research Grant (FDCRGP) for the project "Nuclear Structure with a Microscopic Perspective". This grant will further develop existing and/or create new state-of-the-art theoretical tools and will study fundamental aspects of nuclear structure, such as:
- Interplay between different nuclear degrees of freedom
- Spontaneous nuclear fission in heavy and super-heavy nuclei
- Nuclear fission properties at finite temperature (quite relevant in astrophysical environments).
Dr. Rodriguez Guzman’s scientific research and his commitment to building a robust nuclear theory program at NU represent a significant milestone in advancing the university’s scientific impact. His work not only enhances our understanding of fundamental nuclear processes but also contributes to the development of a new generation of nuclear physicists at NU.