Laser spectroscopy helps reveal hidden nuclear properties in fermium
For the first time, researchers have determined the shape of the actinide nucleus of fermium-255 and measured its structure with high precision and resolution.
Researchers have successfully determined the shape of the actinide nucleus of fermium-255 using laser spectroscopy, providing high precision and resolution. The study, published in Physical Review Letters, supports modern theoretical models and offers new insights into the behavior of the heaviest atomic nuclei. By studying the shapes of atomic nuclei, scientists gain essential insights into their internal structure, particularly the stability against spontaneous fission, which is crucial for the search for longer-lived superheavy elements.
The research involved an international collaboration of scientists and engineers from 18 institutions, who used intricate production pathways to produce samples containing only a few billion atoms of fermium-255. The experiments revealed that the fermium-255 nucleus is strongly prolate, resembling a rugby ball, and aligns well with state-of-the-art nuclear models.
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