Tue May 16, 2023 4:00 pm
CUA Seminar – Ronald Garcia: Radioactive atoms and molecules for nuclear science
Location:Harvard Jefferson 250
Ronald Garcia, MIT
Ten Minute Talk:"Quantum correlations and quasiprobabilities" by
Santiago Hernandez Gomez,
MIT
A deep understanding of the interaction between the atomic nucleus and the electrons bound to it enables the exploration of physical phenomena across a wide range of energy scales. In particular, radioactive atoms and molecules – those containing nuclei with extreme proton-to-neutron ratios – can be artificially created to enhance and study specific nuclear phenomena.
Laser spectroscopy experiments of atoms made of short-lived nuclei have proven to be unique tools for accessing the electromagnetic properties of nuclei at the extremes of existence. Such experiments have been critical in guiding developments in modern nuclear theory and in connecting our description of nuclei and nuclear matter with the underlying theory of the strong force, Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD). Complementary to atoms, molecular systems can offer unparalleled sensitivity for measuring nuclear electroweak properties and constraining the violation of fundamental symmetries. These systems are, therefore, of great relevance for exploring unknown properties of the fundamental forces of nature and searching for new physics beyond the Standard Model of particle physics. In this seminar, I will present recent highlights and perspectives for precision experiments with these exotic species. I will also discuss the relevance of these experiments in addressing open problems in nuclear science.