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Natural sciences
- Surfaces, interfaces, 2D materials
- Applied aspects of nuclear physics
- Experimental aspects of nuclear physics
The properties of nuclei at the centre of atoms are determined by the interplay of the fundamental forces of nature - strong, weak and electromagnetic. Unstable nuclei, with an
unusual number of protons and neutrons, can reveal hidden details of those interactions, beyond what we can explain with current models. The properties of those systems are also crucial to answer questions related to the origin of chemical elements and the fate of celestial objects. We will study unstable nuclei at three facilities located at two research infrastructures. ISOLDE at CERN and SPIRAL2 at GANIL are two complementary accelerator facilities, where nuclei are delivered as radioactive ion beams and studied for their fundamental properties or as probes to investigate their environment. We will use our state-of-the-art instrumentation for laser, decay and reaction spectroscopy, to uncover new aspects of the strong and weak force. MEDICIS at CERN is a facility to research and develop methods for the production and collection of radioisotopes of interest for medical applications. Innovative radioisotopes will be prepared and then studied at radiopharmacy and imaging research centres in Flanders.