PhD proposition: High resolution laser spectroscopy at the IGISOL (Jyväskylä, Finland) and S3-LEB (GANIL, France) facilities

Atomic physics techniques – laser spectroscopy - readily yields fundamental and model-independent data on the structure of nuclear states. The competition between nuclear shell and collective effects results in changes of shapes and sizes within nuclear systems. Such shapes perturb the atomic energy levels of atoms and ions at the ppm level. This small absolute effect is probed and measured by modern laser spectroscopic methods, i.e. collinear laser spectroscopy at Jyväskylä and in-gas jet laser spectroscopy at S3-LEB. The IGISOL facility, Jyväskylä, uses the ion guide method of producing exotic radioactive ion beams. Collinear laser spectroscopy is one of the main workhorses of the facility. The S3-LEB facility, GANIL, will produce exotic radioactive beams by fusion-evaporation reactions. The LEB (Low Energy Branch) set-up will allow to access nuclear properties of nuclei by means of in-gas jet laser spectroscopy. Both laboratories permit access to regions of the nuclear chart which are currently either inaccessible to the majority of ISOL facilities, or are challenging to probe spectroscopically due to the complexity of the atomic structure. One such region lies between the Zr (Z=40) and Sn (Z=50). This transitional region serves up a rich landscape of shape transitions, shape coexistence and triaxiality.

This thesis work will concentrate on the use of laser spectroscopy to probe nuclear states of Pd isotopes, produced either via proton-induced fission (for access to neutron-rich isotopes), or via light-ion induced fusion-evaporation reactions (neutron-deficient isotopes). The extracted data will be analyzed and will serve to provide insight into the evolution of nuclear collectivity away from closed shells. The doctoral student will spend considerable time working within the laser team of the IGISOL group (Jyväskylä, Finland), thus learning all aspects of ion beam production, manipulation techniques, the use of state-of-the-art laser systems, frequency stabilization and atomic spectroscopy. In parallel, the student will also have an opportunity to take advanced courses in Jyväskylä connected to optical spectroscopy and mass measurement techniques for fundamental nuclear structure. In addition, the student will participate on the commissioning of the S3-LEB set-up at LPC-Caen (France) getting familiarized with in-gas jet laser spectroscopy techniques. Soft and transferrable skills will also be developed including presentation work, scientific writing for publications and so forth. The thesis work will be performed in collaboration with international teams will provide valuable experience for a young researcher and networking opportunities required for a possible future career.

Required competences:

-               Strong motivation for Fundamental Nuclear Physics, 

-               Background knowledge in laser physics

-               M2 level in nuclear physics (equivalent to five-year physics studies)

-               Experimental profile and computing skills

-               Writing and speaking English 

-               Ability to work in team

Contact :

Dr. Lucia Càceres

Grand Accélérateur National d'Ions Lourds (GANIL) Tel: 02 31 45 45 56

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