New tool for “old” nuclear physics: FEL γ-nucleus colliders

A new method has been considered to investigate the scattering reactions with photons on fully ionized nuclei. To induce γ-nucleus collisions a free-electron laser and a heavy-ion synchrotron have been considered by bringing them together. Main parameters of the collider (especially LHC and HERA for the acceleration of nuclei) have been estimated. Rough calculations have also been made for the cross sections of the excited nuclei production. Finally, some design problems involving the collider have been considered.