Grant: Subatomic Physics Envelope - Project
TRIUMF
$119,000.00
Laser spectroscopy on exotic nuclei
FY 2011-12
Summary
Amongst the most fundamental charateristics of an atomic nucleus are the shape and size of its ground state configuration. As, in general, this is the form that the nucleus resides for the vast majority of its lifetime it appears logical to study this in order to further the understanding of nuclear structure away from the stable isotopes. For many years laser spectroscopy has been seen as one of the most powerful and sensitive methods with which to perform these studies. When coupled to a radioactive beam facility it allows for the extraction of precise systematic effects to be studied along chains of isotopes without the requirement for in-depth knowledge of either of the absolute nuclear of atomic wavefunctions.
This proposal is a continuation of work that started in 2008 as a collaboration between researchers at McGill University and TRIUMF. Utilising both the isotopes and experimental facilities available at the ISAC facility, TRIUMF progress has been made on a number of fronts to enable precise measurements of grounds state properties to be performed out to the extreames of the nuclear chart. On the very neutron rich side a novel variant on Beta-detected nuclear magnetic resonance has allowed nuclear electric quadrupole moments to be directly probed leading the the most precise determination of the moment of the halo nucleus Li-11. On the neutron deficient side, collinear spectroscopy using beams cooled and bunched via a radio frequency quadrupole cooler and buncher is pushing towards a measurement of the root mean squared charge radius of Rb-74. The intent of this proposal is to expand upon both of these techniques to go to regions hitherto inaccessable with conventional techniques. These include the very neutron rich Mg isotopes, in particular Mg-33 in order to further investigate the nuclear structure within the island of inversion as well as into the rare earth region of the periodic table, starting with La, where there are predictions of tri-axiallity in the nuclear ground state.
Program
Subatomic Physics Envelope - Project
Recipient
Location
British Columbia, Canada
Recipient Type
Not-for-profit organization or charity
Type
Grant
Source
NSERC's Awards Data
As published
Application id
341308-2011
Name nom
Pearson, Matthew
Department département
Science Division
Organization id
8
Institution établissement
TRIUMF
Province en
British Columbia
Province fr
Colombie-Britannique
Country en
CANADA
Country fr
CANADA
Fiscal year exercice financier
2011
Competition year année de concours
2011
Award amount
119000
Program id
SAPPJ
Program nane en
Subatomic Physics Envelope - Project
Program name fr
Enveloppe de physique subatomique - De projet
Group en
Discovery grants programs
Group fr
Programmes de subventions à la découverte
Committee code
19
Committee name en
Subatomic Physics
Committee name fr
Physique subatomique
Area of application code
1202
Area of application group en
Advancement of knowledge
Area of application group fr
Avancement des connaissances
Area of application en
Physical sciences
Area of application fr
Sciences physiques
Research subject code
3102
Research subject group en
Physics
Research subject group fr
Physique
Research subject en
Nuclear physics
Research subject fr
Physique nucléaire
Partie
1
Nb partie
3
Application title
Laser spectroscopy on exotic nuclei
Keyword
NSERC
Application summary
Amongst the most fundamental charateristics of an atomic nucleus are the shape and size of its ground state configuration. As, in general, this is the form that the nucleus resides for the vast majority of its lifetime it appears logical to study this in order to further the understanding of nuclear structure away from the stable isotopes. For many years laser spectroscopy has been seen as one of the most powerful and sensitive methods with which to perform these studies. When coupled to a radioactive beam facility it allows for the extraction of precise systematic effects to be studied along chains of isotopes without the requirement for in-depth knowledge of either of the absolute nuclear of atomic wavefunctions.
This proposal is a continuation of work that started in 2008 as a collaboration between researchers at McGill University and TRIUMF. Utilising both the isotopes and experimental facilities available at the ISAC facility, TRIUMF progress has been made on a number of fronts to enable precise measurements of grounds state properties to be performed out to the extreames of the nuclear chart. On the very neutron rich side a novel variant on Beta-detected nuclear magnetic resonance has allowed nuclear electric quadrupole moments to be directly probed leading the the most precise determination of the moment of the halo nucleus Li-11. On the neutron deficient side, collinear spectroscopy using beams cooled and bunched via a radio frequency quadrupole cooler and buncher is pushing towards a measurement of the root mean squared charge radius of Rb-74. The intent of this proposal is to expand upon both of these techniques to go to regions hitherto inaccessable with conventional techniques. These include the very neutron rich Mg isotopes, in particular Mg-33 in order to further investigate the nuclear structure within the island of inversion as well as into the rare earth region of the periodic table, starting with La, where there are predictions of tri-axiallity in the nuclear ground state.
