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Liang Lab
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The lab uses theory and computation to uncover how atomic nuclei, made of protons and neutrons, work.
AboutAbout the lab
Solving the mysteries of atomic nuclei with theory and computation
The Liang Lab studies, through theory and computation, how atomic nuclei, which are made up of protons and neutrons, work.
At the center of its research is nuclear density functional theory, which can predict the properties of many nuclei together.
The research extends beyond nuclear physics to how elements are produced inside stars (nucleosynthesis) and to particle physics.
The lab is also exploring whether new tools such as quantum field theory, machine learning, and quantum computers can be put to use.
Key terms
- Quantum many-body problem
- The problem of solving, on the basis of quantum mechanics, a system in which many particles influence one another
- Density functional theory
- A theory that obtains the energy from the distribution (density) of particles, allowing systems made up of many particles to be calculated efficiently
- Nucleosynthesis
- The process by which heavier elements are produced inside stars and in explosive astrophysical events
NewsLab news
A paper from the lab was published in Physical Review C
A paper from the lab was published in Physical Review B
A paper from the lab was published in Physics Letters B
Assistant Professor Hiroyuki Tajima received the Springer Nature Author Service Award 2025
A researcher received the PCM2025 Jury Prize
ResearchResearch themes
The lab focuses on nuclear structure, that is, the quantum many-body problem of nucleons, and its research spans nuclear physics, nuclear astrophysics, and particle physics. Its main theme is nuclear density functional theory, which can predict the ground states and excited states of thousands of nuclei together.
*Illustrative imageRebuilding Density Functional Theory
Using the functional renormalization group and the inverse Kohn-Sham method, the lab is rebuilding nuclear density functional theory itself on a microscopic basis. It also investigates how the finite size of nucleons affects nuclear structure, and how relativistic and nonrelativistic theories are related.
*Illustrative imageNuclear Databases for Nucleosynthesis
To study nucleosynthesis in astrophysical environments, the lab builds nuclear databases. It uses Bayesian inference to determine nuclear masses and beta-decay half-lives, and evaluates how the uncertainty of mass models affects neutron-capture rates.
*Illustrative imageAb Initio Nuclear Density Functional Theory
The mid-term goal is to build a density functional theory that starts from the nuclear force in vacuum. The lab derives the energy functional from the effective action and aims to bring in ideas from the renormalization group and effective field theory.
*Illustrative imageUnderstanding Many-Body Tunneling
Nuclear fission and fusion are strongly governed by many-body tunneling, which has long been regarded as one of the most difficult problems in nuclear physics. Understanding it microscopically is the long-term goal, and it also connects to research on nucleosynthesis in astrophysical settings and on the treatment of long-lived nuclear waste.
MembersFaculty
The Liang Lab consists of faculty members, students, and graduate students and researchers on long-term stays.As of 2026
- Associate ProfessorHaozhao Liang
- Assistant ProfessorHiroyuki TajimaPublications ↗
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Report an errorAbout the images
The top and research theme images are illustrative and were not taken at the lab. They are cropped from Wikimedia Commons images. Cropped CC BY-SA images are provided under the same CC BY-SA license as the original (version shown on each line).
- Top image: “NuclideMap stitched 2” NuclideMap.PNG: The viewer derivative work: Neokortex (talk) / Public domain (cropped)
- Rebuilding Density Functional Theory: “Electronic density difference Cl Cu111” Cl Cu111 / CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)
- Nuclear Databases for Nucleosynthesis: “Neutron Star Merger (noirlab2518f)” International Gemini Observatory/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA/Double Dome Films / CC BY 4.0 (cropped)
- Ab Initio Nuclear Density Functional Theory: “Proton and neutron” User:Harp, User:Harp File:Quark structure proton.svg: Harp File:Quark structure neutron.svg: Harp Derived work: PelicanTwo / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Understanding Many-Body Tunneling: “QuantumTunnel” Cranberry / Public domain (cropped)
- Related lab (Yokoyama Lab): “Oldest Light in the Universe (SVS30133)” NASA's Scientific Visualization Studio - Marit Jentoft-Nilsen, Global Science and Technology, Inc./Mark Malanoski / Public domain (cropped)
- Related lab (Fukushima Lab): “Lead-Ion Collision at NA49-CERN” CERN PhotoLab / CC BY 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Hamaguchi Lab): “Cosmic web” Volker Springel / Max Planck Institute For Astrophysics / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Yamazaki Lab): “E8Petrie with color 3D vertices” Jgmoxness / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
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