Physical Review Letter publication by Anastasia Borschevsky: Probing Sizes and Shapes of Nobelium Isotopes by Laser Spectroscopy

A laser-based technique provides the most precise measurements to date of nuclear properties for an element above atomic number 100.

The precise structure and shape of an atomic nucleus is a key indicator of the balance of forces that govern it. Measuring these properties for the heaviest nuclei is especially difficult, but an international collaboration, which includes VSI member Anastasia Borschevsky, has now obtained this information for some of the heaviest nuclei known. The team applied a recently developed laser technique to isotopes of nobelium, element 102, and measured the degree to which the nuclei were nonspherical, as well as the reduced density in the center of two of the isotopes. The findings may improve estimates for the properties of the “island of stability”—a putative regime of superheavy, extra-stable nuclei that may exist for still heavier elements.

For full story see: physics.aps.org

For the scientific article see: Physical Review Letters