Measurement and microscopic description of odd–even staggering of charge radii of exotic copper isotopes

Researchers at Instituut voor Kern- en Stralingsfysica in Belgium and The University of Manchester, including Photon Science Institute academic Kieran Flanagan, in collaboration with other institutes worldwide, have recently carried out a study aimed at measuring the size of the nucleus (ie nuclear charge radius) in neutron-rich copper isotopes.

Their paper, published in Nature Physics, presents observations of a distinctive and interesting odd-even staggering pattern in the sizes of these isotopes' nuclei. To read the paper, visit the Nature Physics website.

Further information can be found at the following places:

• Phys.org website
• 'ISOLDE dives deeper in the mystery of the odd-even staggering effect' on CERN