Speaker
Description
Muonic atom spectroscopy is a technique that studies the atomic transitions between levels that may be occupied by a muon orbiting a nucleus. Due to the heavier mass of the muon with respect to that of the electron, its atomic orbitals will be substantially closer to the nucleus. Consequently, the sensitivity to nuclear effects is enhanced. In particular, muonic atoms have an increased sensitivity to the finite size correction (~107 compared to electronic atoms). As a result, absolute nuclear charge radii can be extracted, providing invaluable input for laser spectroscopy experiments in the form of benchmarks [1].
By employing a high-pressure hydrogen cell, with a small deuterium admixture, it became possible to reduce the required target quantity from 10 mg to about 5 µg. This opens the door to measurements on long-lived radioactive isotopes and materials not available in large quantities [2]. In 2022, we performed an experiment that showed that implanted targets could be used for the spectroscopy [3]. As a result, samples that have been prepared by employing mass separation and subsequent implantation, can be measured with our technique. Following this success, we did another experimental campaign in October 2023 with the goal of measuring the absolute charge radius of potassium and chlorine isotopes.
In this contribution, we shall report on recent results obtained for muonic x-ray measurements on 39, 40, 41K and 35, 37Cl, as well as their implication for future research.
