Quantum theory of isomeric excitation of ²²⁹Th in strong laser fields

2023/06/19 by Wu Wang, Xu Wang, Wang, Wu +1
Engineering · Physics and Astronomy · #Atomic Physics (physics.atom-ph) #FOS: Physical sciences #Laser Design and Applications #Laser-Matter Interactions and Applications #Laser-induced spectroscopy and plasma #Nuclear Theory (nucl-th)

paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.2306.10686

openalex publication_date 2023/06/19 · openalex created_date 2023/06/22 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28

Abstract

A general quantum mechanical theory is developed for the isomeric excitation of ²²⁹Th in strong femtosecond laser pulses. The theory describes the tripartite interaction between the nucleus, the atomic electrons, and the laser field. The nucleus can be excited both by the laser field and by laser-driven electronic transitions. Numerical results show that strong femtosecond laser pulses are very efficient in exciting the ²²⁹Th nucleus, yielding nuclear excitation probabilities on the order of 10^-11 per nucleus per pulse. Laser-driven electronic excitations are found to be more efficient than direct optical excitations.

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