Laser spectroscopy on exotic nuclei

原子核最基本的特征之一是其基态组态的形状和大小。一般说来，这是原子核在其生命的绝大部分时间里所处的形式，因此研究这一形式似乎合乎逻辑，以便进一步了解核结构而不是稳定同位素。多年来，激光光谱学一直被视为进行这些研究的最强大和最灵敏的方法之一。当与放射性束流设施相结合时，它允许沿着同位素链研究精确的系统效应，而不需要深入了解原子波函数的任何一个绝对原子核。

Amongst the most fundamental charateristics of an atomic nucleus are the shape and size of its ground state configuration. As, in general, this is the form that the nucleus resides for the vast majority of its lifetime it appears logical to study this in order to further the understanding of nuclear structure away from the stable isotopes. For many years laser spectroscopy has been seen as one of the most powerful and sensitive methods with which to perform these studies. When coupled to a radioactive beam facility it allows for the extraction of precise systematic effects to be studied along chains of isotopes without the requirement for in-depth knowledge of either of the absolute nuclear of atomic wavefunctions.