BeLaPEx · Beta-decay studies with laser-polarised beams of exotic nuclei
Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
- Duration
- 2022-02-01 → 2024-01-31
- EU contribution
- €191,149
- Participants
- 1
- Scheme
- MSCA-IF
Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.
Results in brief
Beta-decay studies with laser-polarised beams of exotic nuclei
The first European station for beta-decay spectroscopy with laser-polarised beams of radioactive nuclei has been developed at CERN’s nuclear physics facility ISOLDE. The new setup creates unique opportunities for studies of very neutron-rich nuclei, often called exotic, which are extremely unstable due to a large surplus of neutrons. Experimental exploration of these exotic nuclei helps us understand the building blocks of the world around and the nuclear reactions that happen in the plethora of cosmic events where a dense neutron flux is present. The experimental investigation of very neutron-rich nuclei emitting neutrons following their decay was a major focus of the BeLaPEx project. The aim was to gain insight into the mechanism of beta-delayed neutron emission, which is the primary decay mode of exotic nuclei involved in one of the astrophysical processes responsible for the formation of about half of the chemical elements heavier than iron. The overall strategy of the project was aimed at three main objectives: 1) developing the new beta-decay spectroscopy station dedicated to measurements with laser-polarised beams of very neutron-rich nuclei, 2) applying and extending the novel experimental technique that utilises anisotropic emission of radiation from spin-polarised nuclei to unambiguously assign spins and parities of nuclear states, and 3) utilising the full potential of the new setup, which allows for coincidence measurements of radiation emitted from spin-oriented nuclei, and 4) launching a unique research program at ISOLDE.
Data: CORDIS, © European Union
Project objective
The goal of the BeLaPEx project is to study β decay of exotic nuclei relevant to the astrophysical r-process. We will build the first European β-decay spectroscopy station dedicated to measurements with spin-polarised radioactive beams. Our setup, DeVITO, will be coupled to the new beamline for laser-induced nuclear orientation, called Versatile Ion-Polarised Techniques Online (VITO). We will apply a novel technique that utilises anisotropic β decay of spin-polarised nuclei, allowing to firmly assign spins and parities of excited states populated through allowed transitions based on the β-decay asymmetries measured in coincidence with the delayed radiations. The BeLaPEx project will help to clarify the sensitivity of β-delayed neutron emission to the details of nuclear structure. We will provide experimental data that can benchmark nuclear models and improve the understanding of β-delayed neutron emission. The BeLaPEx project will be carried out at the Isotope Mass Separator On-Line facility (ISOLDE) at CERN, where a wide range of radioactive ion beams is available, including those relevant to the r-process. The first part of the project will focus on the construction and commissioning of the DeVITO station allowing for measurements of β-particle, γ-ray and neutron emission from spin-polarised nuclei. Subsequently, we will start the physics program aimed at studying neutron-rich indium isotopes around N=82. These nuclei are important for the r-process calculations since the A=130 peak in the r-process abundance pattern is linked to the closure of the N=82 shell.
Original text from CORDIS.
Participants
- ORGANISATION EUROPEENNE POUR LA RECHERCHE NUCLEAIRE · GENEVE 23CoordinatorSwitzerland
Links
Data: CORDIS, © European Union