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 11C, 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.

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

Inhalt
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.