Progress Towards the First High-Resolution Laser Spectroscopy of Exotic Fluorine Isotopes

The COLLAPS experiment aims to investigate exotic fluorine isotopes for the first time using high-resolution laser spectroscopy. To access these light-mass species, which have so far remained beyond experimental reach, a new technique is currently being implemented. This project, contributed to three different stages of the project. As a first step, the hyperfine spectra of the stable isotope ($^{19}F$) and that of ($^{17}F$): an expected proton-halo nucleus, have been simulated. As a second step, contributions to the preparations for a beamtime on the stable fluorine isotope – where some high-resolution laser spectroscopy has been performed – have been made. In closing the project, an active part could be taken in the first measurements with the new detection method, and some new insights into the level structure of 19F could be gained by analysing the hyperfine spectra of the transitions surveyed in the beamtime.