Laser Spectroscopy - (a selection of) means, methods and measurements

by Annika Voss (University of Jyväskylä)

Wednesday 16 Sept 2015, 14:30 → 15:30 Europe/Zurich

CERN

For many decades, laser spectroscopy has been the workhorse at radioactive ion beam facilities to pursue studies of longer-lived nuclear ground and isomeric states. The universal technique has been applied to most of the nuclear chart with the remaining gaps resulting from difficulties in production and/or challenges in obtaining suitable laser frequencies. In order to address some of these challenges, variations of the general laser spectroscopy technique have been developed in order to exploit the capabilities of both pulsed and continuous-wave lasers. By probing the interaction of the atomic nucleus with its surrounding electrons, a multitude of nuclear physics phenomena may be explored through the atomic hyperfine structure and isotope shifts allowing a measurement of some of the most fundamental nuclear properties. The observation of quantum properties such as the nuclear spin and the related magnetic dipole moment permits investigations of the ordering of nuclear levels. Complementary measurements of the nuclear electric quadrupole moment and changes in mean-squared charge radii allow the determination of the nucleus' static and dynamic deformations. Nowadays, various approaches in tools and techniques are considered at different facilities to overcome the remaining shortcomings in the laser spectroscopy technique and to pursue investigations of the most exotic species. A recent selection of developments, at for example the IGISOL facility in Jyväskylä, in addition to some latest results will be presented.