Nuclear

Sun 27 Feb 2017. New laser spectroscopy technique to understand atomic and nuclear structure of newly discovered radioactive atoms. The heavy actinide element actinium (Ac) was produced in a series of experiments using the particle accelerator at Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium. The quickly decaying atoms of this element were captured in a gas chamber filled with Ar, sucked into a supersonic jet, and spotlighted with laser beams. By doing so, the outer electron in a different orbit is brought. A second laser beam then shoots the electron away. This ionizes the atom, meaning that it becomes positively charged and is now easy to manipulate and detect. The colour of the laser light is like a fingerprint of the atomic structure of the element and the structure of its nucleus. More

  Physics

Mon 30 Jan 2017. Researchers have, for the first time, measured the lifetime of an excited state in the nucleus of an unstable element. This is a major step toward a nuclear clock that could keep even better time than today's best atomic timekeepers. Atomic clocks, the most precise chronometers we now have, are based on precise knowledge of the frequency of specific transitions between defined energy levels in the electron shells of certain atoms. Theoretical studies suggest that nuclear clocks that make use of analogous changes in the energy states of atomic nuclei could provide even more accurate frequency standards for timekeeping purposes. Research focused on the first experimental detection of a specific energy transition in the nucleus of a particular unstable isotope of the element thorium (Th-229), the only nucleus known to have the properties required for the development of a practical nuclear clock. More

  Nuclear

Thu 22 Dec 2016. New technique for measuring radiation damage on the fly, thus continuously assess aging of materials in a high-radiation environment, such as nuclear reactor vessel, in real-time. The analytical method potentially allowing for continuous monitoring of these materials without the need to remove them from their radiation environment. This could greatly speed up the testing process and reduce the preventive replacement of materials that are in fact safe and usable. More

  Chemistry

Sun 4 Dec 2016. The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) has approved the name and symbols for four newly discovered elements: nihonium (Nh), moscovium (Mc), tennessine (Ts), and oganesson (Og), respectively for element 113, 115, 117, and 118. The exploration of new elements continues, and scientists are searching for elements beyond the seventh row of the periodic table. More