Abstract:

"PUMA (antiProton Unstable Matter Annihilation) is a new experiment at CERN since 2021. It aims to use antiprotons' unique properties to probe the nucleonic structure of both stable and exotic nuclei. After formation of antiprotonic atoms with the isotope of interest, antiprotons will annihilate on the nucleus's surface. This process yields annihilation products whose total electric charge allows to reconstruct the neutron-to-proton ratio on the surface of an isotope. These insights can provide a new perspective for investigating quantum phenomena such as nuclear halos and neutron skins. In order to trap antiprotons with exotic nuclei, PUMA aims to transport up to one billion antiprotons from the AD (Antiproton Decelerator) to the ISOLDE (Isotope Separator On-Line Device) facility.

In this seminar, it will be explained how the properties of the antiproton can be used to learn about the composition of nucleic, how we plan to trap and manipulate antiparticles in the PUMA experiment and what a transport of antiprotons will look like. Furthermore, the current status of PUMA will be presented and it will be explained what the next objectives are to bring PUMA to life at CERN."