PhD in Laser Spectroscopy

This project aims to perform laser spectroscopy studies on proton-rich nuclei, in order to investigate the evolution of nuclear structure of these exotic species./nAt the edges of the nuclear landscape, a rare form of radioactive decay occurs where the nucleus emits a proton. Studying proton-rich and proton-emitting nuclei with laser spectroscopy provides an opportunity to measure their nuclear properties and understand the behaviour of nuclei right at the limits of nuclear existence./nLaser spectroscopy measures the hyperfine structure of atoms, an atomic fingerprint that allows nuclear properties (e.g. spin, electromagnetic moments and charge radii) to be measured in a nuclear-model-independent way. For example, the charge radius tells us about the proton distribution in the nucleus i.e. its shape. By measuring nuclei towards and across the proton-drip line (beyond which proton decay occurs), we aim to gain insight into how a single proton can influence the behaviour of the whole nucleus./nThis project will be based at the University of Manchester with experiments carried out at the ISOLDE facility at CERN, Switzerland. It will use state-of-the-art laser spectroscopy techniques, such as Collinear Resonance Ionization Spectroscopy (CRIS), to measure the properties of proton-rich nuclei. During the course of their research, the student will gain practical experience in laser operation, vacuum systems, ion beam transport and detection, laser spectroscopy for atomic and nuclear physics, high voltage systems, and data analysis.