Nuclear structure studies by collinear laser spectroscopy

Abstract

High-resolution laser spectroscopy can be used to precisely measure atomic hyperfine structures and shifts in spectral lines. These nuclear perturbations of the atomic structure provide insight into the bulk properties of nuclei as well as the intricate details of the nucleon–nucleon interactions inside the atomic nucleus. Collinear laser spectroscopy in particular allows for the extraction of nuclear moments and changes in the mean-square charge radii with high precision. We provide an overview of the manner in which collinear laser spectroscopy is currently implemented at radioactive ion beam facilities. Through examples, we illustrate how this method gives access to direct and nuclear model-independent evidence for changes in nuclear spins, electromagnetic moments and nuclear radii caused by structural changes in atomic nuclei.