Statistical properties of exotic isotopes at HIE-ISOLDE

The statistical properties of exotic isotopes at HIE-ISOLDE Nuclear structure studies have been limited to stable or near stable isotopes in the past. The availability of radioactive ion beams (RIB) enlarges the scope of such studies considerably as exotic nuclei far from stability become accessible for the first time. The ISOLDE facility at CERN has a long history of producing radioactive ions. The acceleration of these ions with the REX accelerator offers unique possibilities and makes ISOLDE the facility with the widest variety of RIB worldwide. The world-leading role of ISOLDE will be strengthened in the future with an energy and intensity upgrade (HIE-ISOLDE). The scientific subject of this postdoc project is to study the statistical properties of nuclei far from stability. To achieve the goals of the project the Oslo method must be adapted to the conditions in radioactive ion beam experiments. Test experiments have been carried out to explore the target and simulation requirements for experiments that are to be carried out at HIE-ISOLDE. The analysis of the test experiment from iThemba labs is ongoing. The physics cases of interest require either a pure beam or a means of experimentally tagging the events corresponding to the isotope of interest. Calculations and simulations related to mass-separation requirements have been carried out and the results are being prepared for publication.

Nuclear structure studies have been limited to stable or near stable isotopes in the past. The availability of radioactive ion beams (RIB) enlarges the scope of such studies considerably as exotic nuclei far from stabilty become accessible for the first t ime. The ISOLDE facility at CERN has a long history of producing radioactive ions. The acceleration of these ions with the REX accelerator offers unique possibilities and makes ISOLDE the facility with the widest variety of RIB world wide. The world-leadi ng role of ISOLDE will be strengthened in the future with an energy and intensity upgrade (HIE-ISOLDE). The scientific subject of the proposed postdoc project is statistical properties of nuclei far from stability. After the upgrade to HIE-ISOLDE we plan to look at transfer reactions and extend the research program done on stable nuclei in Oslo, to exotic nuclei at HIE-ISOLDE. As a PhD student the project leader was based at CERN-ISOLDE for two years, working on simulations of different spectrometer des igns for HIE-ISOLDE. Such a spectrometer is vital for reaction studies and the technical subject of this project is to continue the design study for a spectrometer for HIE-ISOLDE.