Development of the MARA-LEB Facility
In nuclear physics experiments producing very exotic nuclei via fusion-evaporation reactions, unwanted species (contaminants) are produced in much higher rates than the nucleus of interest. In some cases, this makes it very challenging to identify the nucleus of interest.
― The aim of the MARA-LEB facility is to purify the beams produced by these reactions to suppress contaminants, describes M.Sc. Jorge Romero.
Proton-rich isotopes in the region of 80≤A≤100 are of interest for nuclear physics, as precise measurements of their properties via laser spectroscopy, mass measurements and decay spectroscopy can improve nuclear and astrophysical theoretical models. Many of the elements in this region are very chemically reactive, they are the so-called refractory elements. Isotopes of these elements are impossible to extract in ISOL mass separation facilities, such as ISOLDE at CERN.
― ISOL-type facilities are employed for laser spectroscopy, but their inability to extract refractory elements has hindered laser spectroscopic studies of these elements, explains Romero.
MARA-LEB combines the chemical insensitivity of the existing MARA separator for production and extraction of refractory isotopes with a buffer gas cell to stop and neutralise ions for laser spectroscopy. The thesis discusses the components of the MARA-LEB facility and presents results from simulations and experiments that informed its design.
― One of the presented experiments was used to measure the production of isotopes in the actinide region at the MARA facility, opening up a new region of interest for research at MARA-LEB, tells Romero.
The examination of M.Sc. Jorge Romero’s doctoral dissertation "Development of the MARA-LEB Facility" will be held on 19.4.2024 at 12:00 in Ylistönrinne, Kem1. The opponent is Dr. Herve Savajols (GANIL, France) and the custos is Professor Iain Moore (Ä¢¹½Ö±²¥).
The language of the dissertation is English.
Publication details:
The dissertation "Development of the MARA-LEB Facility" is available in the JYX repository:
More information:
- Jorge Romero Fernández, j.romero-fernandez@liverpool.ac.uk
Background information:
Jorge Romero obtained a Bachelor's degree in Physics from the University of Valencia in 2018 and a Master's degree in Nuclear Physics from the University of Sevilla in 2019. He began a Dual Doctorate between the Universities of Liverpool and Jyväskylä, working as a Doctoral Researcher at the Ä¢¹½Ö±²¥'s Accelerator Laboratory between 2020 and 2022. Romero passed his doctoral examination from the University of Liverpool in December 2023 and is currently working there as a Postdoctoral Research Associate.
