New technique to study superheavy elements:
Superheavy elements [(SHEs)] are intriguing nuclear and atomic quantum systems that challenge experimental probing as they do not occur in nature and, when synthesized, vanish within seconds. Pushing the forefront of atomic physics research to these elements requires breakthrough developments towards fast atomic spectroscopy techniques with extreme sensitivity. A joint effort within the European Union's Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation program and led by Dr. Mustapha Laatiaoui from Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) culminated in an optical spectroscopy proposal: The so-called Laser Resonance Chromatography (LRC) should enable such investigations even at minute production quantities.
[...] Although SHEs were discovered decades ago, their investigation by optical spectroscopy tools falls far behind the synthesis. This is because they are produced at extremely low rates at which traditional methods simply do not work. So far, optical spectroscopy ends at nobelium, element 102 in the periodic table. "Current techniques are at the limit of what is feasible," explained Laatiaoui. From the next heavier element on, the physicochemical properties change abruptly and impede providing samples in suitable atomic states."
Together with research colleagues, the physicist has therefore developed the new LRC approach in optical spectroscopy. This combines element selectivity and spectral precision of laser spectroscopy with ion-mobility mass spectrometry and merges the benefits of a high sensitivity with the 'simplicity' of optical probing as in laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy.
Journal Reference:
Mustapha Laatiaoui, Alexei A. Buchachenko, Larry A. Viehland. Laser Resonance Chromatography of Superheavy Elements, Physical Review Letters (DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.125.023002)
Mustapha Laatiaoui, Alexei A. Buchachenko, Larry A. Viehland. Exploiting transport properties for the detection of optical pumping in heavy ions, Physical Review A (DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevA.102.013106)
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday July 15 2020, @05:24AM
Write down the plan.
1. Think of new technique to study superheavy elements.
2. Smash a lot of atoms.
3. ???
4. Hello laydies!!
(Score: -1, Offtopic) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday July 15 2020, @06:00AM
(Score: 1, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday July 15 2020, @10:35AM
Americium is so fat it needs a mobility scooter to get around... got that way from eating too much Big Macs, but claims it's a gland problem.