Theoretical nuclear scientists at FRIB explore the universe's subatomic structure by collaborating globally to understand and predict nuclear matter. They tackle key questions about nuclear formation, stability, reactions, element creation, quantum phenomena, symmetries in nuclear systems, extreme matter phases, and discovering new physics using nuclei as precise investigative tools.

At the heart of the facility is FRIB’s high-power superconducting radio frequency (SRF) linear accelerator and advanced rare isotope separator (ARIS), enabling forefront research in accelerators, magnets, and associated technology.

The short-lived nuclei produced at FRIB can be used directly as fast beams for reactions, they can be stopped in detection systems that measure their decays, or they can be slowed in a gas cell and used in precision experiments after extraction or made into reaccelerated beams of pristine quality and energies ranging from hundreds of kiloelectronvolts to well above the Coulomb barrier, enabling experiments addressing all core themes.
 

FRIB offers unique opportunities to produce, characterize, harvest, and use short-lived rare isotopes not available elsewhere. 

Nuclear structure explores how protons and neutrons bind to form atomic nuclei, complex sub-atomic systems governed by quantum mechanics.

Nuclear astrophysics is a field that bridges nuclear science and astronomy, addressing fundamental questions about the universe, such as how chemical elements are formed and how their abundances change over time. 

Nuclear and particle physicists study the fundamental symmetries and interactions of matter to understand the most basic building blocks of the universe and how they fit together. 

Nuclear science has driven significant advancements in fields like medicine, national security, energy, materials, and more.