Isotope Shifts of the 6d\,^2D3/2 _{3/2}\, - 7p\,^2P1/2 _{1/2}\, Transition in Trapped Short-Lived 209−214^{209-214}Ra+^+

Laser spectroscopy of short-lived radium isotopes in a linear Paul trap has been performed. The isotope shifts of the 6d\,^2D$_{3/2}\,$ - 7p\,^2P$_{1/2}\,$ transition in $^{209-214}$Ra$^+$ were measured, which are sensitive to the short range part of the atomic wavefunctions. The results are essential experimental input for improving the precision of atomic structure calculation. This is indispensable for parity violation in Ra$^+$ aiming at the determination of the weak mixing angle.Comment: Accepted for publication in Physical Review A as a Rapid Communicatio

First Test of Lorentz Invariance in the Weak Decay of Polarized Nuclei

A new test of Lorentz invariance in the weak interactions has been made by searching for variations in the decay rate of spin-polarized 20Na nuclei. This test is unique to Gamow-Teller transitions, as was shown in the framework of a recently developed theory that assumes a Lorentz symmetry breaking background field of tensor nature. The nuclear spins were polarized in the up and down direction, putting a limit on the amplitude of sidereal variations of the form |(\Gamma_{up} - \Gamma_{down})| / (\Gamma_{up} + \Gamma_{down}) < 3 * 10^{-3}. This measurement shows a possible route toward a more detailed testing of Lorentz symmetry in weak interactions.Comment: 11 pages, 6 figure

A gas cell for stopping, storing and polarizing radioactive particles

A radioactive beam of 20Na is stopped in a gas cell filled with Ne gas. The stopped particles are polarized by optical pumping. The degree of polarization that can be achieved is studied. A maximum polarization of 50% was found. The dynamic processes in the cell are described with a phenomenological model.Comment: 16 pages, 6 figure

Tuning the Morphological Appearance of Iron(III) Fumarate: Impact on Material Characteristics and Biocompatibility

Iron(III) fumarate materials are well suited for biomedical applications as they feature biocompatible building blocks, porosity, chemical functionalizability, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) activity. The synthesis of these materials however is difficult to control, and it has been challenging to produce monodisperse particle sizes and morphologies that are required in medical use. Here, we report the optimization of iron(III) fumarate nano- and microparticle synthesis by surfactant-free methods, including room temperature, solvothermal, microwave, and microfluidic conditions. Four variants of iron(III) fumarate with distinct morphologies were isolated and are characterized in detail. Structural characterization shows that all iron(III) fumarate variants exhibit the metal–organic framework (MOF) structure of MIL-88A. Nanoparticles with a diameter of 50 nm were produced, which contain crystalline areas not exceeding 5 nm. Solvent-dependent swelling of the crystalline particles was monitored using in situ X-ray diffraction. Cytotoxicity experiments showed that all iron(III) fumarate variants feature adequate biotolerability and no distinct interference with cellular metabolism at low concentrations. Magnetic resonance relaxivity studies using clinical MRI equipment, on the other hand, proved that the MRI contrast characteristics depend on particle size and morphology. All in all, this study demonstrates the possibility of tuning the morphological appearance of iron(III) fumarate particles and illustrates the importance of optimizing synthesis conditions for the development of new biomedical materials

Towards a precise measurement of atomic parity violation in a single Ra+ ion

A single trapped Ra +  (Z = 88) ion provides a very promising route towards a most precise measurement of Atomic Parity Violation (APV), since APV effects grow faster than Z 3. This experiment promises the best determination of the electroweak coupling constant at the lowest accessible energies. Such a measurement provides a sensitive test of the Standard Model in particle physics. At the present stage of the experiment, we focus on trapping and laser cooling stable Ba +  ions as a precursor for radioactive Ra + . Online laser spectroscopy of the isotopes 209 − 214Ra +  in a linear Paul trap has provided information on transition wavelengths, fine and hyperfine structures and excited state lifetimes as test of atomic structure calculations. Additionaly, a single trapped Ra +  ion could function as a very stable clock

Hyperfine structure of the 6d(2)D(3/2) level in trapped short-lived Ra-211,209(+) ions

The hyperfine structure of short-lived trapped Ra-211,209(+) ions was investigated by means of laser spectroscopy. The hyperfine structure constants A and B of the 6d(2)D(3/2) level were determined. There is a 2.2 standard deviation difference between the theoretical and the more accurate experimental value for the B coefficient of Ra-211(+). These measurements provide a test for the atomic theory required for upcoming experiments on atomic parity violation and atomic clocks. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved