Speaker
Description
The standard model of physics provides a description of matter in the universe. However, it fails to reproduce many unexplained features and so there has been search for physics beyond the standard model. One avenue is via the precise determination of the V$_{ud}$ matrix element of the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskaka (CKM) matrix from the ft-value of superallowed mixed beta-decay transitions. A violation of the CKM matrix unitarity could be the consequence of a missing quark
generation, new bosons, or even supersymmetry. However, the determination of V$_{ud}$ from mirror transitions requires the measurement of the Fermi-to-Gamow Teller mixing ratio ρ. At the Nuclear Science Lab (NSL) within the University of Notre Dame a project is underway to develop a Paul trap devoted to the measurement of this elusive quantity. It will receive radioactive ion beams produced in-flight with TwinSol, a coupled pair of superconducting solenoids. The NSLtrap will consist of a gas catcher to stop the 1-3 MeV/A secondary beams from TwinSol . This will be followed by a radio-frequency quadrapole to cool and bunch the thermalized ions before their injection into a Paul trap. The design will be presented and the planned initial measurements will be discussed.
Project supported by NSF MRI: PHY-1725711
