Background and Research Interests

Nicholas Scielzo's education in chemistry and physics, coupled with his research experience at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Argonne National Laboratory, and LLNL, provides him with a solid background in experimental nuclear physics, nuclear decay spectroscopy, nuclear reactions, radiation detection, neutrino science, tests of the standard model of particle physics, applications of nuclear data, and atom/ion trapping techniques.

Scielzo is currently a physicist at LLNL, where his research interests include addressing long-standing challenges in understanding the origin of the heavy elements in the cosmos, the structure of exotic nuclei, and the properties of neutrinos and the standard model of particle physics, while providing improved nuclear data needed for simulations of the performance of the nuclear stockpile and nuclear reactors. He is developing innovative techniques that take advantage of radioactive beams together with atomic-physics techniques (ion traps), state-of-the-art radiation detectors, new isotope-collection approaches, and nuclear-reaction theory to perform detailed measurements of nuclear decays and reactions.

Scielzo was recently selected as a “most valued reviewer for 2017” by the journal Nuclear Instruments and Methods A, a leading journal for descriptions of new experimental techniques and methods in nuclear physics. This follows a similar award for his work as a reviewer for the Journal of Physics G.

Ph.D., Physics, University of California, Berkeley, 2003

M.S., Physics, University of California, Berkeley, 1999

B.A., Chemistry and Physics, Harvard University, 1997

1. K. Siegl, N.D. Scielzo, et al. Recoil ions from the b decay of ¹³⁴Sb confined in a Paul trap, Physical Review C 97, 035504 (2018).
2. C. Alduino, et al. First results from CUORE: A search for lepton number violation via 0νββ decay of ¹³⁰Te, Physical Review Letters 120, 132501 (2018).
3. D.R. Artusa, et al. Enriched TeO₂ bolometers with active particle discrimination: Towards the CUPID experiment, Physics Letters B 767, 321 (2017).
4. B. Champine, M.E. Gooden, F. Krishichayan, E.B. Norman, N.D. Scielzo, K.J. Thomas, A.P. Tonchev, and W. Tornow. Measurement of the ¹⁶⁹Tm(n,3n)¹⁶⁷Tm cross section and the branching ratios in the decay of ¹⁶⁷Tm, Physical Review C 93, 014611 (2016).
5. M.G. Sternberg, R. Segel, N.D. Scielzo, et al. Limit on tensor currents from ⁸Li beta decay, Physical Review Letters 115, 182501 (2015).
6. B.S. Wang, E.B. Norman, N.D. Scielzo, A.R. Smith, K.J. Thomas, and S.A. Wender. Cosmogenic-neutron activation of TeO₂ and implications for neutrinoless double-beta decay experiments. Physical Review C 92, 024620 (2015).
7. R.M. Yee, N.D. Scielzo, et al., β-delayed neutron spectroscopy using trapped radioactive ions, Physical Review Letters 110, 092501 (2013).
8. G. Li, R. Segel, N.D. Scielzo, et al. Tensor interaction limit derived from the α-β-ν correlation in trapped ⁸Li ions, Physical Review Letters 110, 092502 (2013).
9. N.D. Scielzo, et al. The beta-decay Paul trap: A radiofrequency-quadrupole ion trap for precision β-decay studies, Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A 681, 94 (2012).
10. M. Wiedeking, et al. Low-energy enhancement in the photon strength of ⁹⁵Mo, Physical Review Letters 108, 162503 (2012).
11. J.E. Escher, J.T. Burke, F.S. Dietrich, N.D. Scielzo, I.J. Thompson, W. Younes. Compound-nuclear reaction cross sections from surrogate measurements, Reviews of Modern Physics 84, 353 (2012).
12. C. Arnaboldi, et al. Production of high purity TeO₂ single crystals for the study of neutrinoless double beta decay, Journal of Crystal Growth 312, 2999 (2010).
13. N.D. Scielzo, et al. Measurement of gamma-emission branching ratios for ¹⁵⁴Gd, ¹⁵⁶Gd, ¹⁵⁸Gd compound nuclei: Tests of surrogate nuclear reaction approximations for (n,g) cross sections, Physical Review C 81, 034608 (2010).
14. N.D. Scielzo, et al. Double-beta decay Q values of ¹³⁰Te, ¹²⁸Te, and ¹²⁰Te. Physical Review C 80, 025501 (2009).
15. M. Wiedeking, et al. Lifetime measurement of the first excited 2⁺ state in ¹⁶C, Physical Review Letters 100, 152501 (2008).
16. J.R. Guest, et al. Laser trapping of ²²⁵Ra and ²²⁶Ra with repumping by room-temperature blackbody radiation, Physical Review Letters 98, 093001 (2007).
17. N.D. Scielzo, et al. Measurement of the lifetimes of the lowest ³P₁ state of neutral Ba and Ra, Physical Review A 73, 010501 (2006).
18. G. Savard, et al. Q value of the superallowed decay of ⁴⁶V and its influence on V_ud and the unitarity of the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix, Physical Review Letters 95, 102501 (2005).
19. N.D. Scielzo, S.J. Freedman, B.K. Fujikawa, P.A. Vetter. Measurement of the β-ν correlation using magneto-optically trapped ²¹Na, Physical Review Letters 93, 102501 (2004).
20. N.D. Scielzo, S.J. Freedman, B.K. Fujikawa, P.A. Vetter. Recoil-ion charge-state distribution following the β+ decay of ²¹Na. Physical Review A 68, 022716 (2003)

• Most Valued Reviewer, Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A, 2017
• Featured on cover of the book and poster for “Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory: 65 Years of Excellence,” 2017
• Featured on inside cover of “Science Vision of the Nuclear and Chemical Sciences Division,” 2017
• Outstanding Reviewer Award from Journal of Physics G, 2017
• DOE/SC/NP Science Highlight for “Improved Tests of the Weak Nuclear Force from Beta Decay,” 2016
• Efforts highlighted in the Performance Evaluation Report for FY13, from NNSA Headquarters to the LLNL Director
• Directorate Award for Science and Technology, LLNL, 2013
• Directorate Award for Excellence in Publication, LLNL, 2012
• Physics Division Spot Award for “Outstanding accomplishments in the area of recruiting and mentoring,” LLNL, 2012
• Lawrence Fellowship, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, 2006-present
• Outstanding Performance Award, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 2000
• Department of Physics Fellowship, University of California at Berkeley, 1997-1999
• Graduated Magna Cum Laude with highest honors in major, Harvard University, 1997