Laser spectroscopic characterization of the nuclear-clock isomer 229mTh

verfasst von
Johannes Thielking, Maxim V. Okhapkin, Przemysław Głowacki, David M. Meier, Lars Von Der Wense, Benedict Seiferle, Christoph E. Düllmann, Peter G. Thirolf, Ekkehard Peik
Abstract

The isotope 229Th is the only nucleus known to possess an excited state 229mTh in the energy range of a few electronvolts- A transition energy typical for electrons in the valence shell of atoms, but about four orders of magnitude lower than typical nuclear excitation energies. Of the many applications that have been proposed for this nuclear system, which is accessible by optical methods, the most promising is a highly precise nuclear clock that outperforms existing atomic timekeepers. Here we present the laser spectroscopic investigation of the hyperfine structure of the doubly charged 229mTh ion and the determination of the fundamental nuclear properties of the isomer, namely, its magnetic dipole and electric quadrupole moments, as well as its nuclear charge radius. Following the recent direct detection of this long-sought isomer, we provide detailed insight into its nuclear structure and present a method for its non-destructive optical detection.

Externe Organisation(en)
Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB)
Poznan University of Technology
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU)
GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH
Helmholtz-Institut Mainz
Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz
Typ
Artikel
Journal
NATURE
Band
556
Seiten
321-325
Anzahl der Seiten
5
ISSN
0028-0836
Publikationsdatum
19.04.2018
Publikationsstatus
Veröffentlicht
Peer-reviewed
Ja
ASJC Scopus Sachgebiete
Allgemein
Elektronische Version(en)
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-018-0011-8 (Zugang: Geschlossen)