Description
The atomic mass is a fundamental property and links directly and uniquely the binding energy to all effective forces that hold the atom together. In fact, the Nobel Prize awarded Nuclear Shell model was developed only after mass measurements indicated ‘magic’ behavior, which could not be explained with the existing theories at the time. Today, mass measurements are possible at far more isotopes and much more exotic isotopes can be accessed. Moreover, atomic masses are important parameters in nuclear astrophysics, for example for production paths of the chemical elements in stellar object. However, for the measurements, rare short-lived isotopes are required.
At present, one of the premier facilities for rare isotopes is the ISAC accelerator complex at TRIUMF, Vancouver, Canada.
The TITAN (TRIUMF’s Ion Trap for Atomic and Nuclear science) was developed to carry out mass measurements of very short-lived isotopes but maintaining high precision and accuracy. The measurement is carried out using a Penning ion trap, and storing one or a few ions in the trap for the experiment. In this way, some of the most exotic isotopes at any rare beam facility have been measured, and a world record in shortest half-life was achieved. I will give an overview of the TITAN program and how it links to answering some of the big questions in science, and present some resent research highlights.
