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MIT Physicists Unveil Groundbreaking Atomic Nucleus Probing Technique

10/24/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) physicists have developed a method to probe atomic nuclei using electrons in molecules, specifically radium monofluoride (RaF).
The technique observes minute energy shifts as electrons penetrate the nucleus, enabling nuclear insights without large accelerators.
The study published in Science shows radium nuclei are pear-shaped, increasing sensitivity to symmetry violations linked to matter-antimatter asymmetry.

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Story summary

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) physicists have developed a method to probe atomic nuclei using electrons in molecules, specifically radium monofluoride (RaF).
The technique observes minute energy shifts as electrons penetrate the nucleus, enabling nuclear insights without large accelerators.
The study published in Science shows radium nuclei are pear-shaped, increasing sensitivity to symmetry violations linked to matter-antimatter asymmetry.