Estrade Vaz, Alfredo

• Proton radii of 12-17B define a thick neutron surface in 17B A. Estrade, R. Kanungo, W. Horiuchi, et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 113 (2014) 132501.
  
• Time-of-flight mass measurements of exotic nuclei M. Matos, A. Estrade, H. Schatz, et al., Nucl. Instr. Meth. A 696 (2012) 171.
  
• Time-of-flight mass measurements for nuclear processes in neutron star crusts A. Estrade, M. Matos, H. Schatz, et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 107 (2011) 172503.​

• Ph.D., Physics, Michigan State University, 2010
• B.S., Physics, Michigan State University, 2004

We work in experimental physics with exotic isotopes. These are short-lived atomic nuclei with a large imbalance in the number of constituent neutrons and protons. Exotic isotopes can show unusual nuclear structure features, such as halo structures in their matter distribution, and their experimental study has provided a new light to understand the basic properties of the atomic nucleus. These isotopes also play a central role in some of the most extreme astrophysical environments in the Galaxy. We are interested in neutron-rich isotopes relevant to nuclear processes in the crust of neutron stars, and in nucleosynthesis of heavy elements by the rapid neutron-capture process (r-process).Our current research projects are measurements of nuclear masses and decay half-lives at radioactive ion beam laboratories. These include time-of-flight mass measurements at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory (NSCL), in East Lansing, and beta-decay studies with active implantation detectors at the Radioactive Ion Beam Factory (RIBF) in RIKEN, Japan. We are also working in the development of experimental devices and equipment for a new generation or radioactive ion beam laboratories, such as the future Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) in East Lansing, which will significantly increase the potential for scientific discoveries in this exciting field of nuclear physics.