The University of Maryland Experimental Nuclear Physics Group consists of six faculty, two research associates, four graduate students and two undergraduates. Our proposed research uses particle accelerators to study nuclear reactions and nuclear structure at very small distances. In most cases we use electron beams from the accelerator at Jefferson Laboratory. Our experimental program is largely focussed on studies of the quark structure of nucleons and the dynamics of nucleons and mesons embedded in nuclear systems. We use measurements of the spin direction of particles involved in nuclear reactions to enhance the precision and selectivity of our studies. We are studying both electromagnetic and weak interaction properties of the nucleon. We also propose studies of the production of strange mesons and the formation of nuclei with embedded strange mesons. In addition to the experiments proposed, we are heavily involved in the support and construction of detector systems for detectors and liquefied gas targets for the Jefferson Laboratory Experimental Halls.
