Speaker
Description
Quantum condensation of alpha particles is believed to occur in cluster states of the self-conjugate alpha nuclei 12C and 16O. This phenomenon is similar to the Bose-Einstein condensation observed through the laser cooling of atoms such as Rb or Na. A state of this nature, which must be of 0+ character, is expected to exist just above the 5 alpha decay threshold in 20Ne. In this region, only high spin states Jiπ≥4+ are known. This is mainly due to the types of reactions usually used to populate states in this nucleus. Alpha-particle inelastic scattering will be performed close to zero degrees with the K600 magnetic spectrometer at iThemba LABS. This will provide a sensitive probe for states of the 0+ character which may be associated with the 5 alpha particle condensate state, while enhancing the L = 0 angular momentum peaks. Additionally, measurements will be made at two larger angles in order to demonstrate the L = 0 character.
| Level (Hons, MSc, <br> PhD, other)? | PhD |
|---|---|
| Consider for a student <br> award (Yes / No)? | Yes |
| Would you like to <br> submit a short paper <br> for the Conference <br> Proceedings (Yes / No)? | No |
