Precision Spectroscopy of “Hot” Atoms and Molecules

by Ronald Fernando Garcia Ruiz (CERN)

Wednesday 23 Jan 2019, 14:30 → 15:30 Europe/Zurich

CERN

 

Measurements of atomic and molecular structures allow access to observables that are key to our understanding of the nuclear many-body problem, the study of fundamental symmetries, and the search for new physics. In the atom, for example, hyperfine structure measurements provide fundamental properties of the atomic nucleus: spins, electromagnetic moments, and charge radii. Moreover, a precise knowledge of the interaction between the nucleus and the surrounding electrons can provide constraints on the existence of new particles. On the other hand, molecular systems offer new opportunities to explore the nuclear electroweak structure. In this talk, I will present recent results from laser spectroscopy experiments of exotic atoms and molecules in extreme regions of the nuclear chart, where short-lived nuclei are produced in minuscule quantities (≺ 100 ions/s). The relevance of these results to the recent advances in nuclear theory, and their connection with some of the outstanding questions of nuclear science will be discussed. Future experimental developments that aim to extend the current limits of precision and sensitivity will be illustrated.