The concept of laser-based conversion electron Mössbauer spectroscopy for a precise energy determination of 229mTh

Wense, Lars C. von der; Schneider, Christian; Jeet, Justin; Amersdorffer, Ines; Arlt, Nicolas; Zacherl, Florian; Haas, R.; Renisch, Dennis; Mosel, Patrick; Mosel, Philip; Kovačev, Milutin; Morgner, Uwe; Düllmann, Ch. E.; Hudson, Eric R.; Thirolf, P. G.

doi:10.1007/s10751-019-1564-0

“…Direct laser excitation Another way to precisely determine the isomer's energy could be via direct laser excitation of 229 Th atoms on a surface, followed by the observation of IC electrons [401,404,406]. While direct laser spectroscopy of individual 229 Th ions is not yet possible (see Sect.…”

Section: Detection Of 229m Th With Microcalorimetric Techniquesmentioning

confidence: 99%

The $$^{229}$$Th isomer: prospects for a nuclear optical clock

Wense

¹

2020

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The proposal for the development of a nuclear optical clock has triggered a multitude of experimental and theoretical studies. In particular the prediction of an unprecedented systematic frequency uncertainty of about $$10^{-19}$$ 10 - 19 has rendered a nuclear clock an interesting tool for many applications, potentially even for a re-definition of the second. The focus of the corresponding research is a nuclear transition of the $$^{229}$$ 229 Th nucleus, which possesses a uniquely low nuclear excitation energy of only $$8.12\pm 0.11$$ 8.12 ± 0.11 eV ($$152.7\pm 2.1$$ 152.7 ± 2.1 nm). This energy is sufficiently low to allow for nuclear laser spectroscopy, an inherent requirement for a nuclear clock. Recently, some significant progress toward the development of a nuclear frequency standard has been made and by today there is no doubt that a nuclear clock will become reality, most likely not even in the too far future. Here we present a comprehensive review of the current status of nuclear clock development with the objective of providing a rather complete list of literature related to the topic, which could serve as a reference for future investigations.

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“…Nuclear laser excitation of neutral atoms of 229 Th was proposed in Refs. [68][69][70]. The concept makes use of the short IC decay channel, which allows to trigger the IC electron detection in coincidence with the laser pulses, thereby leading to a high signalto-background ratio as well as short scanning times and offering the potential for a significantly improved 229m Th energy determination.…”

Section: The Case Of 229m Thmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Based on the direct detection of the isomer's IC decay channel [61] in combination with the short isomeric lifetime [62] and the improved energy value [67], new concepts for direct nuclear laser excitation were presented [68][69][70]. These make use of IC electron detection for probing the isomer's successful excitation, which has the advantage that the detection can be triggered in coincidence with the laser pulses.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The theory of direct laser excitation of nuclear transitions

Wense

¹

,

Bilous

²

,

Stellmer

³

et al. 2020

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A comprehensive theoretical study of direct laser excitation of a nuclear state based on the density matrix formalism is presented. The nuclear clock isomer 229m Th is discussed in detail, as it could allow for direct laser excitation using existing technology and provides the motivation for this work. The optical Bloch equations are derived for the simplest case of a pure nuclear two-level system and for the more complex cases taking into account the presence of magnetic sub-states, hyperfine-structure and Zeeman splitting in external fields. Nuclear level splitting for free atoms and ions as well as for nuclei in a solid-state environment is discussed individually. Based on the obtained equations, nuclear population transfer in the low-saturation limit is reviewed. Further, nuclear Rabi oscillations, power broadening and nuclear twophoton excitation are considered. Finally, the theory is applied to the special cases of 229m Th and 235m U, being the nuclear excited states of lowest known excitation energies. The paper aims to be a didactic review with many calculations given explicitly.

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“…Nuclear laser excitation of neutral atoms of 229 Th was proposed in Refs. [65][66][67]. The concept makes use of the short IC decay channel, which allows to trigger the IC electron detection in coincidence with the laser pulses, thereby leading to a high signalto-background ratio as well as short scanning times and offering the potential for a significantly improved 229m Th energy determination.…”

Section: Nuclear Two-photon Excitationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Based on the direct detection of the isomer's IC decay channel [58] in combination with the short isomeric lifetime [59] and the improved energy value [64], new concepts for direct nuclear laser excitation were presented [65][66][67]. These make use of IC electron detection for probing the isomer's successful excitation, which has the advantage that the detection can be triggered in coincidence with the laser pulses.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The theory of direct laser excitation of nuclear transitions

von der Wense,

Bilous,

Seiferle

et al. 2020

Preprint

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0

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

A comprehensive theoretical study of direct laser excitation of a nuclear state based on the density matrix formalism is presented. The nuclear clock isomer 229m Th is discussed in detail, as it could allow for direct laser excitation using existing technology and provides the motivation for this work. The optical Bloch equations are derived for the simplest case of a pure nuclear two-level system and for the more complex cases taking into account the presence of magnetic sub-states, hyperfine-structure and Zeeman splitting in external fields. Nuclear level splitting for free atoms and ions as well as for nuclei in a solid-state environment is discussed individually. Based on the obtained equations, nuclear population transfer in the low-saturation limit is reviewed. Further, nuclear Rabi oscillations, power broadening and nuclear twophoton excitation are considered. Finally, the theory is applied to the special cases of 229m Th and 235m U, being the nuclear excited states of lowest known excitation energies. The paper aims to be a didactic review with many calculations given explicitly.

show abstract

The concept of laser-based conversion electron Mössbauer spectroscopy for a precise energy determination of 229mTh

Cited by 12 publications

References 42 publications

The $$^{229}$$Th isomer: prospects for a nuclear optical clock

The $$^{229}$$Th isomer: prospects for a nuclear optical clock

The theory of direct laser excitation of nuclear transitions

The theory of direct laser excitation of nuclear transitions

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