Precision spectroscopy of exotic nuclei

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My research uses beams of short-lived radioisotopes to study the atomic nucleus. Nuclei furthest from stability have often revealed spectacular new phenomena such as exotic structures and rare modes of radioactive decay. Understanding the fundamental forces between nucleons and how they evolve towards the most exotic nuclei are essential for attempting to explain the observed abundances of the elements in our universe and identifying the astrophysical sites where these nucleosynthesis processes may occur. Their study is crucial for guiding the development of theoretical nucleosynthesis and structure models and to improve their reliability in areas of the nuclear chart that cannot be accessed experimentally. The evolution of the nuclear force towards the extremes, how the elements are formed in the universe and the nature of physics at the electroweak scale are fundamental questions that have been identified in the Canadian subatomic physics long-range plan (2017-2021). Studies of the most exotic nuclei pose significant experimental challenges that are continually being addressed through upgrades and construction of large-scale rare-isotope beam facilities combined with the development of highly efficient and state-of-the-art detection systems. My research uses a variety of experimental techniques including direct and resonant nuclear reactions, precision nuclear decay studies and high-resolution gamma-ray spectroscopy to determine the properties of key nuclei that offer the best possible constraints for theoretical models. My experiments are conducted primarily at the TRIUMF facility in Canada and the Grand Accélérateur National d'Ions Lourds (GANIL) in France. I am presently the spokesperson for three experiments that have already been approved using existing infrastructure or infrastructure that is presently being developed from already secured external funding. I am the spokesperson and principal investigator of the active target and time projection chamber (ACTAR TPC), a novel detector development project that was funded by a 5-year/1.29M€ grant awarded by the European Research Council (ERC). First experiments with ACTAR TPC will begin in 2018 and will continue throughout the course of this research grant. This research grant will ensure the successful creation of my research program and provide the necessary support to my group by providing salaries for undergraduate summer research students, graduate students (Masters and Doctoral) and a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Regina. Travel funds for the group to be able participate in these experiments and present their results at national and international conferences and workshops are also included in the request.