Laser spectroscopy of cooled zirconium fission fragments

Phys Rev Lett. 2002 Aug 19;89(8):082501. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.89.082501. Epub 2002 Aug 5.

Abstract

The first on-line laser spectroscopy of cooled fission fragments is reported. The r ions, produced in uranium fission, were extracted and separated using an ion guide isotope separator. The ions were cooled and bunched for collinear laser spectroscopy by a gas-filled linear Paul trap. New results for nuclear mean-square charge radii, dipole, and quadrupole moments are reported across the N=60 shape change. The mean-square charge radii are found to be almost identical to those of the Sr isotones and previously offered modeling of the radial changes is critically reviewed.