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New technique allows physicists to study interactions of neutrons inside of an atom

New technique allows physicists to study interactions of neutrons inside of an atom


New technique allows physicists to study interactions of neutrons inside of an atom
Evolution of nuclear electromagnetic properties for the 9/2+ ground states of 105–131In isotopes. a, b, The electric quadrupole moments (a) and magnetic dipole moments (b). The horizontal dotted line indicates the single-particle value (Schmidt limit). Experimental results are compared with theoretical calculations from ab initio VS-IMSRG and DFT. Literature experimental values for 105–127In were taken from ref. 7. The evolution of collective properties of these isotopes is illustrated at the bottom of the figure: left, quadrupole polarization gradually reduces to a single-proton-hole value at N = 82; right, the magnetic dipole moments abruptly approach the value for a single proton hole in a 132Sn core at N = 82, as the dominant effect changes from charge to spin distribution. Credit: Nature (2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-04818-7

An international team of physicists has developed a new technique that allows researchers to study the interactions between neutrons inside of an atom. In their paper published in the journal Nature, the group describe their laser spectroscopy measurement technique and how it can be used.

It has been nearly 100 years since scientists discovered that inside of every atom are —which give atoms their —as well as . And despite much study of subatomic particles, scientists still do not know what sorts of interactions go on inside of an atom. In this new effort, the researchers modified laser spectroscopy measurement techniques to study such interactions.

In this new work, the researchers began by looking at elements with a —those that have highly stable protons and neutrons—and wound up using indium-131, which has a magic number of neutrons, and also a proton hole, in which a nuclide has one fewer proton than a traditional magic number element. Indium-131 is, unfortunately, also notoriously unstable, which means that it only exists for a short time before breaking down—it tends to last for just 0.28 seconds.

Thus, studying interactions within its nucleus required a method to take a very quick peek. The method they developed is called resonance ionization spectroscopy; their device is used to measure electromagnetic spectra produced during interactions between matter and . To build a system with which they could apply their new method, they had to have some special equipment. They found what they needed at the Isotope Mass Separator On-Line Facility at CERN.

The researchers note that their technique allows for a detection sensitivity of less than 1,000 atoms per second, which means that it could be used with other short-lived elements as well. They believe it can be used to create maps showing how the of a given atom is held together and the kinds of interactions that occur inside of it. They plan to further their work by using their technique to learn more about the intricacies of short-lived isotopes.


Grabbing magic tin by the tail


More information:
A. R. Vernon et al, Nuclear moments of indium isotopes reveal abrupt change at magic number 82, Nature (2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-04818-7

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New technique allows physicists to study interactions of neutrons inside of an atom (2022, July 14)
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