Optical spectroscopy for nuclear and atomic science at JYFL

by Prof. Iain D. Moore (Department of Physics, University of Jyväskylä, Finland)

Tuesday 4 Dec 2018, 14:30 → 15:30 Europe/Rome

A. Rostagni meeting room (INFN-LNL)

High-resolution optical measurements of the atomic level structure readily yield fundamental and model-independent data on nuclear ground and isomeric states, namely changes in the size and shape of the nucleus, as well as the nuclear spin and electromagnetic moments [1]. Laser spectroscopy combined with on-line isotope separators and novel ion manipulation techniques provides the only mechanism for such studies in exotic nuclear systems.
This seminar will provide a brief overview to some of the methods used in the field of laser spectroscopy and will highlight the benefits and limitations of the different approaches. The status of the different activities connected with optical spectroscopy in Jyväskylä will then form a focus of the seminar. In recent years an active program on the actinide elements has been initiated in collaboration between JYFL and the University of Mainz and TU Vienna. This work has seen the realization of collinear laser spectroscopy of Pu, the heaviest element studied to date with this particular technique [2]. In addition, a multi-pronged approach towards accessing the lowest-lying isomeric state in the nuclear chart, namely ^229mTh, forms an active field of current research.
An exciting new research theme is now underway in Jyväskylä in collaboration with the University College London.  A new atom trap has been installed for the purpose of trapping ultra-cold samples of caesium isotopes and isomers [3]. The ultimate goal is to achieve coherent gamma-ray emission via a Bose-Einstein Condensate of ^135mCs isomers produced in fission [4]. The first results from this project will also be presented.
 
[1] P. Campbell, I.D. Moore and M.R. Pearson, Progress in Part. and Nucl. Phys. 86 (2016) 127.
[2] A. Voss et al., Phys. Rev. A 95 (2017) 032506.
[3] A. Giatzoglou et al., Nucl. Instrum. and Meth. A 908 (2018) 367.
[4] L. Marmugi, P.M. Walker and F. Renzoni, Phys. Lett. B 777 (2018) 281.