Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 5, 2025
10:42
Preparing an Isotopically Pure 229Th Ion Beam for Studies of 229mTh
Published on: May 3, 2019
6.7K
Opportunities for fundamental physics research with radioactive molecules
Gordon Arrowsmith-Kron1, Michail Athanasakis-Kaklamanakis2,3, Mia Au4,5
1Facility for Rare Isotope Beams, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, United States of America.
Reports on Progress in Physics. Physical Society (Great Britain)
|January 12, 2024
Summary
Radioactive molecules offer unique insights into fundamental physics and chemistry. Advances in molecular control and radioactive ion production create new opportunities for precision measurements with these extreme nuclei.
Area of Science:
- Utilizing radioactive molecules for discoveries in fundamental symmetries, astrophysics, nuclear structure, and chemistry.
- Exploring the intersection of atomic, molecular, nuclear, astrophysical, and chemical sciences.
Background:
- Recent progress in quantum-level control of complex molecules.
- Advancements in the production of radioactive species at global facilities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the scientific rationale for studying radioactive molecules.
- To discuss foundational advances across multiple scientific disciplines.
- To outline future prospects for research with radioactive molecules.
Main Methods:
- Reviewing scientific literature and facility capabilities.
- Synthesizing recent advances in related fields.
- Describing production and control techniques for radioactive molecules.
Main Results:
- Established scientific case for radioactive molecule research.
- Identified key enabling technologies and facilities.
- Highlighted interdisciplinary nature of the field.
Conclusions:
- Radioactive molecules represent a nascent field with significant discovery potential.
- Coordinated efforts in molecular control and radioactive species production are crucial.
- Future research will benefit from interdisciplinary collaboration and advanced facilities.
Keywords:
astrophysicsfundamental symmetriesnuclear structurenuclear theoryprecision measurementradioactive moleculesradiochemistryMore Related Videos
07:52A Novel Technique for Raman Analysis of Highly Radioactive Samples Using Any Standard Micro-Raman Spectrometer
Published on: April 12, 2017
12.9K
09:18Laser-heating and Radiance Spectrometry for the Study of Nuclear Materials in Conditions Simulating a Nuclear Power Plant Accident
Published on: December 14, 2017
10.4K
Related Concept Videos
01:28Isotopes and Radioisotopes
8.6K
In the early 1900s, English chemist Frederick Soddy realized that an element could have atoms with different masses that were chemically indistinguishable. These different types are called isotopes — atoms of the same element that differ in mass. Isotopes differ in mass because they have different numbers of neutrons but are chemically identical because they have the same number of protons. Soddy was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1921 for this discovery.
An isotope containing...
An isotope containing...
8.6K
03:20Nuclear Transmutation
17.6K
Nuclear transmutation is the conversion of one nuclide into another. It can occur by the radioactive decay of a nucleus, or the reaction of a nucleus with another particle. The first manmade nucleus was produced in Ernest Rutherford’s laboratory in 1919 by a transmutation reaction, the bombardment of one type of nuclei with other nuclei or with neutrons. Rutherford bombarded nitrogen-14 atoms with high-speed α particles from a natural radioactive isotope of radium and observed...
17.6K
02:48Radioactive Decay and Radiometric Dating
34.0K
Radioactivity is a spontaneous disintegration of an unstable nuclide and is a random process, as all the nuclei in the sample do not decay simultaneously. The number of disintegrations per unit time is called the activity (A), which is directly proportional to the number of nuclei in the sample. The decay constant (λ) is an average probability of decay per nucleus in unit time.
34.0K
01:14Photoluminescence: Applications
402
Photoluminescence offers a wide range of applications due to its inherent sensitivity and selectivity. This technique allows for both direct and indirect analyses of the analyte. Direct quantitative analysis is possible when the analyte exhibits a favorable quantum yield for fluorescence or phosphorescence. However, an indirect analysis may be feasible if the analyte is not fluorescent or phosphorescent, or if the quantum yield is unfavorable. Indirect methods include reacting the analyte with...
402
01:16Other Nuclides: 31P, 19F, 15N NMR
385
Many organic, inorganic, and biological molecules contain spin-half nuclei such as nitrogen-15, fluorine-19, and phosphorus-31. As a result, NMR studies of these nuclei have found extensive applications in chemical and biological research.
While fluorine-19 and phosphorous-31 have high natural abundances (100%) and positive gyromagnetic ratios, nitrogen-15 has a low natural abundance and a negative gyromagnetic ratio. However, nitrogen-15 is still preferred over nitrogen-14 (which has a...
While fluorine-19 and phosphorous-31 have high natural abundances (100%) and positive gyromagnetic ratios, nitrogen-15 has a low natural abundance and a negative gyromagnetic ratio. However, nitrogen-15 is still preferred over nitrogen-14 (which has a...
385
01:25Applications Of NMR In Biology
3.7K
Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is a very valuable analytical technique for researchers. It has been used for more than 50 years as an analytical tool. F. Bloch and E. Purcell formulated NMR in 1946 and won the 1952 Nobel Prize in Physics for their work. Biological macromolecules such as proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, and organic molecules including pharmaceutical compounds, can be studied using this versatile tool that exploits the magnetic properties of certain nuclei.
3.7K