Precision Measurements to Test the Standard Model and for Explosive Nuclear Astrophysics

This thesis presents two significant results in the field of precision measurements in low-energy nuclear physics. Firstly, it presents a precise half-life determination of 11 C, leading to the most precise ft-value for a beta decay transition between mirror nuclides, an important advance in the testing of the electroweak sector of the Standard Model. Secondly, it describes a high-precision mass measurement of 56Cu, a critical nucleus for determining the path of the astrophysical rapid-proton capture process, performed by the author using the LEBIT Penning trap at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory. This new measurement resolves discrepancies in previously-reported calculated mass excesses. In addition, the thesis also presents the construction and testing of a radio-frequency quadrupole cooler and buncher that will be part of the future N = 126 factory at Argonne National Laboratory aimed at producing nuclei of interest for the astrophysical rapid-neutron capture process for the first time.

Nominated as an outstanding PhD thesis by the University of Notre Dame Provides an introduction to tests of the Standard Model via nuclear beta decays Presents advances in precision testing of the Standard Model Presents a Penning trap mass measurement for determining the astrophysical rp process pathway Gives an overview of the forthcoming Argonne facility for precision measurements of astrophysical processes

Auteur
Adrian Valverde is a researcher at Argonne National Laboratory. He received his PhD from the University of Notre Dame in 2018.

Contenu
Chapter 1. Introduction.- Chapter 2. Half-life Measurement of 11C for Testing the Standard Model.- Chapter 3. The LEBIT Facility and Penning Traps.- Chapter 4. Mass Measurement of 56Cu for the Astrophysical rp Process.- Chapter 5. A Cooler-Buncher for the N = 126 Factory.- Chapter 6. Summary and Outlook. <p