Speaker
Description
The atomic nuclei in the actinide region exhibit some of the most striking examples of collective structure in the nuclear chart, including strong quadrupole deformation, octupole correlations, and the emergence of reflection-asymmetric (pear-shaped) configurations. These phenomena give rise to enhanced electric dipole (E1) and octupole (E3) transition strengths, parity doublets, and low-lying collective excitations that challenge microscopic descriptions of nuclear structure. Of particular interest is the role of octupole deformation in amplifying symmetry-violating effects, making certain actinide nuclei prime candidates for searches for permanent electric dipole moments (EDMs) in atoms and molecules. Precision measurements of electromagnetic transition rates and lifetimes in these systems therefore provide critical input for both nuclear structure theory and fundamental symmetry tests.
This contribution will present an overview of recent fast-timing studies in selected actinide nuclei, drawing on both previously published results and ongoing analyses. The presentation will highlight how modern fast-timing techniques provide access to lifetimes and electromagnetic transition strengths in complex, highly collective systems, and will discuss how these measurements inform our understanding of octupole correlations and shape coexistence in this region.