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Michail Athanasakis-Kaklamanakis

Publications and source records attributed to Michail Athanasakis-Kaklamanakis.

11 recordsLinked to original sources

Nuclear moments, charge radii, and magnetization distribution parameters of Ag isotopes from laser spectroscopy and \textit{ab initio} electronic-structure calculations

The nuclear electromagnetic moments and mean-square charge radii of several silver (Ag) isotopes deduced from recent laser spectroscopy studies in the mass region $A=$ 96-121 are determined using high-accuracy electronic structure calculations performed in this work. We report hyperfine structure and isotope-shift atomic factors calculated with the relativistic coupled cluster approach, including single, double, triple, and perturbative quadruple excitations, CCSDT(Q). Following a systematic theoretical uncertainty analysis, we show that at the precision now achieved (sub-percent uncertainties in some cases), quantum electrodynamic effects become significant. We also show that the isotope-dependent effect in the hyperfine structure due to the non-point-like nuclear magnetization distribution can be extracted with negligible dependence on the assumed nuclear magnetization model at the present level of precision. This also yields a nuclear magnetic dipole moment that is corrected for the hyperfine anomaly induced by the Bohr-Weisskopf effect. In terms of the nuclear electric quadrupole moments, the uncertainty in the electric-field gradient used to extract the quadrupole moments from laser spectroscopy has also been reduced by one to two orders of magnitude relative to values used in previous studies. Finally, the nuclear charge radii of Ag isotopes are extracted using field- and mass-shift factors from our coupled cluster calculations, and the difference in mean-square charge radii between $^{107,109}$Ag agrees with the value deduced from muonic X-ray spectroscopy.

physics.atom-ph↗

Experimental realization of a rotating radio-frequency ion trap for precision metrology

We discuss the experimental realization of the rotating radio-frequency (rrf) trap, proposed by Hasegawa and Bollinger [Phys. Rev. A 72, 043403 (2005)]. Compared to a traditional linear rf (lrf) Paul trap, the rrf trap is a closer analogy to the popular mechanical lecture demonstration for a Paul trap. In an ion trap with reslistic, non-ideal electrode geometry, the rrf trap averages over angular variations in the effective potential. This averaging provides more uniform confinement and reduces ion loss at equal confinement strength compared with the lrf trap. This feature makes the rrf trap configuration advantageous for precision metrology application, such as electron electric dipole moment (eEDM) measurements.

physics.atom-ph↗

A new beamline for Resonant Excitation of Beams with Electromagnetic fields and Lasers (REBEL) and Stopping and Trapping of Radioactive Isotopes for Precision Experiments (STRIPE)

We present two newly constructed experimental setups - REBEL (Resonant Excitation of Beams with Electromagnetic fields and Lasers) and STRIPE (Stopping and Trapping of Radioactive Isotopes for Precision Experiments) - integrated into a single offline beamline at KU Leuven. REBEL is designed for collinear laser spectroscopy of ion bunches following isobaric separation with a multireflection time-of-flight mass spectrometer, enabling high-sensitivity measurements of mass-selected fast-ion beams. In contrast, STRIPE focuses on the deceleration, trapping, and laser cooling of ions in a segmented linear Paul trap, optimized for long interrogation times and precision spectroscopy. The shared infrastructure features stable high-voltage operation ($<10$ ppm), modular vacuum sections, and a fast-beam switchyard to route ions to either experiment. Initial results include a mass-resolving power of $R \approx 12900$ in REBEL and successful ion trapping and laser cooling of ions with a kinetic energy of 10 keV in STRIPE, with improved performance achieved using a frequency-modulated cooling laser. This dual-system platform enables the development and benchmarking of advanced spectroscopy and trapping techniques and is compatible with future operation at radioactive ion beam facilities.

physics.ins-det↗

Isotope-shift factors with quantum electrodynamics effects for many-electron systems: A study of the nuclear charge radius of $^{26m}$Al

A method for calculating the field shift contribution to isotope shifts in many-electron atoms, incorporating quantum electrodynamics (QED) effects, is introduced. We also implement the model QED approach to incorporate QED contribution to the nuclear recoil effect at the high-order correlation effects treatment level. The proposed computational scheme is used to revise the value of the root-mean-square (rms) nuclear charge radius of the isomer of aluminium-26, $^{26m}$Al. This radius is important for the global analysis of the $V_{ud}$ element of the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix. The difference in mean-square nuclear charge radii of $^{27}$Al and $^{26m}$Al, obtained by combining the calculated atomic factors with recently measured isotope shift (IS) of the $3s^23p~^2P_{3/2} \to 3s^24s~^2S_{1/2}$ transition in Al, is $0.443(44)(19)~{\rm fm}^2$, where the first and second uncertainties are experimental and theoretical ones, respectively. The latter is reduced by a factor of 4 with respect to the previous study. Using this value and the known value of the rms charge radius of $^{27}$Al, the resultant value $R_c(^{26m}$Al) = 3.132(10)~fm is obtained. With the improved accuracy of the calculated IS factors the error in $R_c(^{26m}$Al) is now dominated by the experimental uncertainty. Similar revision of rms charge radii is made for the $^{28}$Al, $^{29}$Al, $^{30}$Al, $^{31}$Al and $^{32}$Al isotopes using existing IS measurements. Additionally, atomic factors are computed for the $3s^23p~^2P_{3/2} \to 3s^24s~^2S_{1/2}$, $3s^23p~^2P_{1/2} \to 3s^25s~^2S_{1/2}$ and $3s^23p~^2P_{3/2} \to 3s^25s~^2S_{1/2}$ transitions in Al, which can be used in future experimental studies.

physics.atom-ph↗

Nuclear matter radii from molecular rotations using ultra-high-resolution spectroscopy

The rotational constant parametrizes the relative spacing between a molecule's rotational energy levels. It depends on the molecule's classical moments of inertia, which, in all studies, are expressed by treating the constituent nuclei as point masses separated by the bond length. We point out that treating the finite nuclear size leads to a correction to the rotational constant at the Hz level, which is resolvable with recently developed ultra-high-resolution molecular spectrometers. Nuclear-model-independent measurements of nuclear matter radii can thus be envisioned in the future using such apparatuses, advancing beyond the existing hadronic scattering experiments and further developing the intersection of nuclear and molecular physics. In the present time, it appears that the computational ability of ab initio quantum chemistry might be the limiting factor to the technical readiness of the approach. To test the premises of the proposed method, we call for benchmark experiments using HD+ that are feasible with state-of-the-art experiment and theory.

physics.atom-ph↗

Ab initio study of electronic states and radiative properties of the AcF molecule

Relativistic coupled-cluster calculations of the ionization potential, dissociation energy, and excited electronic states under 35,000 cm$^{-1}$ are presented for the actinium monofluoride (AcF) molecule. The ionization potential is calculated to be IP$_e=48,866$ cm$^{-1}$, and the ground state is confirmed to be a closed-shell singlet and thus strongly sensitive to the $\mathcal{T}$,$\mathcal{P}$-violating nuclear Schiff moment of the Ac nucleus. Radiative properties and transition dipole moments from the ground state are identified for several excited states, achieving an uncertainty of $\sim$450 cm$^{-1}$ for the excitation energies. For higher-lying states that are not directly accessible from the ground state, possible two-step excitation pathways are proposed. The calculated branching ratios and Franck-Condon factors are used to investigate the suitability of AcF for direct laser cooling. The lifetime of the metastable $(1)^3Δ_1$ state, which can be used in experimental searches of the electric dipole moment of the electron, is estimated to be of order 1 ms.

physics.atom-ph↗

Voltage scanning and technical upgrades at the Collinear Resonance Ionization Spectroscopy experiment

To optimize the performance of the Collinear Resonance Ionization Spectroscopy (CRIS) experiment at CERN-ISOLDE, technical upgrades are continuously introduced, aiming to enhance its sensitivity, precision, stability, and efficiency. Recently, a voltage-scanning setup was developed and commissioned at CRIS, which improved the scanning speed by a factor of three as compared to the current laser-frequency scanning approach. This leads to faster measurements of the hyperfine structure for systems with high yields (more than a few thousand ions per second). Additionally, several beamline sections have been redesigned and manufactured, including a new field-ionization unit, a sharper electrostatic bend, and improved ion optics. The beamline upgrades are expected to yield an improvement of at least a factor of 5 in the signal-to-noise ratio by suppressing the non-resonant laser ions and providing time-of-flight separation between the resonant ions and the collisional background. Overall, the presented developments will further improve the selectivity, sensitivity, and efficiency of the CRIS technique.

physics.ins-det↗

RAPTOR: a new collinear laser ionization spectroscopy and laser-radiofrequency double-resonance experiment at the IGISOL facility

RAPTOR, Resonance ionization spectroscopy And Purification Traps for Optimized spectRoscopy, is a new collinear resonance ionization spectroscopy device constructed at the Ion Guide Isotope Separator On-Line (IGISOL) facility at the University of Jyväskylä, Finland. By operating at beam energies of under 10 keV, the footprint of the experiment is reduced compared to more traditional collinear laser spectroscopy beamlines. In addition, RAPTOR is coupled to the JYFLTRAP Penning trap mass spectrometer, opening a window to laser-assisted nuclear-state selective purification, serving not only the mass measurement program, but also supporting post-trap decay spectroscopy experiments. Finally, the low-energy ion beams used for RAPTOR will enable high-precision laser-radiofrequency double-resonance experiments, resulting in spectroscopy with linewidths below 1 MHz. In this contribution, the technical layout of RAPTOR and a selection of ion-beam optical simulations for the device are presented, along with a discussion of the current status of the commissioning experiments.

physics.ins-det↗

Opportunities for Fundamental Physics Research with Radioactive Molecules

Molecules containing short-lived, radioactive nuclei are uniquely positioned to enable a wide range of scientific discoveries in the areas of fundamental symmetries, astrophysics, nuclear structure, and chemistry. Recent advances in the ability to create, cool, and control complex molecules down to the quantum level, along with recent and upcoming advances in radioactive species production at several facilities around the world, create a compelling opportunity to coordinate and combine these efforts to bring precision measurement and control to molecules containing extreme nuclei. In this manuscript, we review the scientific case for studying radioactive molecules, discuss recent atomic, molecular, nuclear, astrophysical, and chemical advances which provide the foundation for their study, describe the facilities where these species are and will be produced, and provide an outlook for the future of this nascent field.

nucl-ex↗

King-plot analysis of isotope shifts in simple diatomic molecules

We demonstrate that the isotope shift in isotopomers of diatomic molecules, where the nucleus of one of its constituent atoms is replaced by another isotope, can be expressed as the sum of a field shift and a mass shift, similar to the atomic case. We show that a linear relation holds between atomic and molecular isotopes shifts, thus extending the King-plot analysis to molecular isotope shifts. Optical isotope shifts in YbF and ZrO and infrared isotope shifts in SnH are analyzed with a molecular King-plot approach, utilizing Yb$^{+}$ and Zr$^{+}$ ionic isotope shifts and charge radii of Sn obtained with non-optical methods. The changes in the mean-squared nuclear charge radii $δ\langle r^2 \rangle$ of $^{170-174,176}$Yb and $^{90-92,94,96}$Zr extracted from the molecular transitions are found to be in excellent agreement with the values from the spectroscopy of Yb$^{+}$ and Zr$^{+}$, respectively. On the contrary, in the case of the vibrational-rotational transition in SnH, no sensitivity to the nuclear volume could be deduced within the experimental resolution, which makes it unsuitable for the extraction of nuclear charge radii but provides insights into the molecular electronic wave function not accessible via other methods. The new opportunities offered by the molecular King-plot analysis for research in nuclear structure and molecular physics are discussed.

physics.atom-ph↗

Observation of the radiative decay of the ${}^{229}\mathrm{Th}$ nuclear clock isomer

The nucleus of the radioisotope thorium-229 (${}^{229}$Th) features an isomer with an exceptionally low excitation energy that enables direct laser manipulation of nuclear states. For this reason, it is a leading candidate for use in next-generation optical clocks. This nuclear clock will be a unique tool, amongst others, for tests of fundamental physics. While first indirect experimental evidence for the existence of such an extraordinary nuclear state is significantly older, the proof of existence has been delivered only recently by observing the isomer's electron conversion decay and its hyperfine structure in a laser spectroscopy study, revealing information on the isomer's excitation energy, nuclear spin and electromagnetic moments. Further studies reported the electron conversion lifetime and refined the isomer's energy. In spite of recent progress, the isomer's radiative decay, a key ingredient for the development of a nuclear clock, remained unobserved. In this Letter, we report the detection of the radiative decay of this low-energy isomer in thorium-229 (${}^{229\mathrm{m}}$Th). By performing vacuum-ultraviolet spectroscopy of ${}^{229\mathrm{m}}$Th incorporated into large-bandgap CaF${}_2$ and MgF${}_2$ crystals at the ISOLDE facility at CERN, the photon vacuum wavelength of the isomer's decay is measured as 148.71(42) nm, corresponding to an excitation energy of 8.338(24) eV. This value is in agreement with recent measurements, and decreases the uncertainty by a factor of seven. The half-life of ${}^{229\mathrm{m}}$Th embedded in MgF${}_2$ is determined to be 670(102) s. The observation of the radiative decay in a large-bandgap crystal has important consequences for the design of a future nuclear clock and the improved uncertainty of the energy eases the search for direct laser excitation of the atomic nucleus.

nucl-ex↗