'Phase Transition' in the 'Thorium-Isomer Story'

Abstract

Given the drastic progress achieved during recent years in our knowledge on the decay and nuclear properties of the thorium isomer 229mTh, the focus of research on this potential nuclear clock transition will turn in the near future from the nuclear physics driven `search and characterization phase' towards a laser physics driven `consolidation and realization phase'. This prepares the path towards the ultimate goal of the realization of a nuclear frequency standard, the `Nuclear Clock'. This article briefly summarizes our present knowledge, focusing on recent achievements, and points to the next steps envisaged on the way towards the Nuclear Clock.

arXiv comment10 pages, 6 figures

References in corpus (6)

• Frequency ratio of two optical clock transitions in ${}^{171}$Yb${}^{+}$ and constraints on the time-variation of fundamental constants
• Direct detection of the 229Th nuclear clock transition
• Lifetime measurement of the ${}^{229}$Th nuclear isomer
• X-ray pumping of the Th-229 nuclear clock isomer
• Radiative lifetime and energy of the low-energy isomeric level in ${}^{229}$Th
• A laser excitation scheme for ${}^{229\text{m}}$Th

Cited by in corpus (1)

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