Laser Resonance Chromatography of Superheavy Elements

TL;DR

This paper proposes a novel ion-mobility-assisted laser spectroscopy method to study superheavy elements, overcoming previous sensitivity limitations and enabling detailed spectral analysis of elements beyond nobelium.

Contribution

Introduction of a new ion-mobility-assisted laser spectroscopy technique for superheavy elements, enhancing sensitivity and resolution in atomic structure investigations.

Findings

Enables broadband-level searches of superheavy elements

Allows high-resolution hyperfine spectroscopy beyond nobelium

Overcomes sensitivity challenges in studying refractory, low-yield elements

Abstract

Optical spectroscopy constitutes the historical path to accumulate basic knowledge on the atom and its structure. Former work based on fluorescence and resonance ionization spectroscopy enabled identifying optical spectral lines up to element 102, nobelium. The new challenges faced in this research field are the refractory nature of the heavier elements and the decreasing production yields. A new concept of ion-mobility-assisted laser spectroscopy is proposed to overcome the sensitivity limits of atomic structure investigations persisting in the region of the superheavy elements. The concept offers capabilities of both broadband-level searches and high-resolution hyperfine spectroscopy of synthetic elements beyond nobelium.