Naoki Kimura

Isotonic (constant neutron number) systematics in the deformed rare-earth region have long suggested that nuclei with odd numbers of protons are more compact than their even-proton neighbors—except for Lu, whose recommended nuclear charge radius appeared anomalously large relative to Yb and Hf. We report a high-precision determination of the natural-abundance-averaged Lu-Yb charge-radius difference using extreme-ultraviolet spectroscopy of highly charged Na- and Mg-like ions, supported by high-accuracy relativistic atomic-structure calculations—a recently introduced method with the unique ability to measure inter-element charge-radius differences. Combined with muonic-atom and optical isotope-shift data, our results reestablish a pronounced odd-even staggering along the isotonic chain with neutron number N = 94 . Nuclear density functional theory calculations, including quantified uncertainties, fail to reproduce the large stagger, while successfully reproducing the charge-radii staggering along isotopic chains and in semi-magic nuclei. In this work, we resolve the Lu inversion anomaly and provide new constraints for experimental and theoretical studies of nuclear size.

We experimentally study the magnetic-dipole 1 s 2 2 s 2 p   3 P 1 − 3 P 2 transition in Be-like Ar 14 + . The wavelength of this transition is known to be sensitive to the quantum electrodynamics effect and has been measured many times by emission spectroscopy using an electron beam ion trap (EBIT). However, there is a significant discrepancy among the previously measured values. Here, we report the first experimental verification of the transition wavelength by laser spectroscopy. The present result is 594.5495(21) nm, which is in reasonable agreement ( < 1.5 σ ) with the latest value measured by emission spectroscopy by the Heidelberg EBIT group.

The extreme-ultraviolet emission line (424 Å) of the intercombination 1s ²2s ^{2 1} S ₀–1s ²2s2p ³ P ₁ transition of Ar xv can potentially characterize the electron temperature of astrophysical plasma. Various theoretical studies have investigated the intercombination transition rate, which is essential for the plasma diagnostics; however, experimental difficulties have prevented its measurement. We present here measurement of the lifetime of the ³ P ₁ excited state of Ar xv, providing the experimental value of the intercombination transition rate. Employing time-resolved plasma-assisted laser spectroscopy, a method we recently demonstrated, enables us to measure this submicrosecond lifetime. The experimental result exhibits a 25%–43% higher transition rate than theoretical predictions.

Spectral lines of buffer noble gases injected into an electron beam ion trap (EBIT) have recently been used as a reference to aid accurate determination of the wavelengths of optical transitions of highly charged ions (HCIs). Simultaneous observation of emission lines of HCIs along with those of neutral atoms or singly charged ions represents a reliable method for wavelength calibration that suppresses systematic uncertainties. Here, we present visible and infrared emission spectra of buffer Ne and Ar gases in an EBIT and briefly review the buffer gas calibration method. The experimental conditions required for implementing the calibration method are discussed by investigating the dependence of the emission spectra of mixtures of HCIs and noble gases on electron beam’s parameters and gas pressure.

We demonstrate a versatile method for injecting metallic elements into an electron-beam ion trap using a metal vapor source. This method is based on the evaporation of a metal target by continuous electron-beam impact. We present visible emission spectra of highly charged tungsten ions prepared by the present injection scheme. By comparison with the conventional injection method using a high-vapor-pressure W(CO)₆ compound, several advantages of the present method, i.e. suppressing charge exchange reactions in the trap region and quick recovery of the vacuum condition after stopping the injection, are found. The present injection method also facilitates the measurement of emission spectra of highly charged niobium ions, which have never previously been observed using electron-beam ion traps.