FAIR-GSI PhD Award for Dr. Tom Reichert
30.01.2025 |
Dr. Tom Reichert, an outstanding young scientist in the field of nuclear and heavy ion physics, has been awarded the FAIR-GSI PhD Award. The award recognizes his extraordinary scientific achievements and his significant contribution to research into the phase structure of quantum chromodynamics (QCD). Sponsored by Pfeiffer Vacuum+Fab Solutions, the annual award is endowed with 1000 euros. It was presented by Professor Thomas Nilsson, Scientific Managing Director of GSI and FAIR, and Daniel Sälzer, Managing Director of the Pfeiffer Vacuum+Fab Solutions site in Asslar, during a festive colloquium.
In his dissertation, Reichert systematically investigated heavy ion collisions over a wide range of energies, from SIS energies at GSI/FAIR to RHIC and LHC energies. He focused on the equation of state of matter, a key element in describing the properties of the quark-gluon plasma and phase transitions in QCD. The work combines state-of-the-art theoretical models with experimental data and opens up new perspectives for the investigation of fundamental processes in the universe.
A central result of the dissertation is the detailed analysis of flux coefficients, which provides valuable insights into the dynamics of heavy-ion collisions and the thermodynamic properties of hot and dense matter. Of particular note is the extension of the theoretical models to the production and flux properties of hypernuclei. This research has the potential to better understand the interactions between hyperons and nucleons and to contribute to the clarification of the mass-radius relation of neutron stars – an important aspect in the connection between nuclear physics and astrophysics.
The results of his work have attracted international attention and provide important foundations for the planned experiments at the future accelerator facility FAIR (Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research). Reichert's research is exemplary of the interdisciplinary and innovative approach being pursued in heavy ion research.
Dr. Tom Reichert said, “It is a great honor to receive this award. It reflects not only the recognition of my work, but also the support of my colleagues and supervisors. I look forward to continuing my research and tackling the exciting challenges of heavy ion physics at FAIR.”
The annual FAIR-GSI PhD Award honors an excellent PhD thesis completed during the previous year. Eligible for nominations are dissertations that were supported by GSI in the context of GSI's strategic partnerships with the universities of Darmstadt, Frankfurt, Giessen, Heidelberg, Jena, and Mainz, or through the research and development program. In the framework of the Helmholtz Graduate School for Hadron and Ion Research (HGS-HIRe), more than 300 PhD students currently perform research for their PhD theses on topics closely related to GSI and FAIR. GSI has a long-standing partnership with the award sponsor, Pfeiffer Vacuum+Fab Solutions. Pfeiffer is part of the global Busch Group and a world-leading provider of solutions for high and ultra-high vacuum technology with a comprehensive product portfolio also including leak detectors, measurement and analysis devices, components as well as vacuum chambers and systems. Solutions from Pfeiffer have been successfully used in GSI's facilities for decades. (CP)