Nuclear laser spectroscopy of the 3.5 eV transition in Th-229

2003/01/01 by E. Peik, Chr. Tamm · 17 citations
Physics and Astronomy · Decision Sciences · #Advanced Frequency and Time Standards #Atomic and Molecular Physics #Scientific Measurement and Uncertainty Evaluation

paper · doi:10.1209/epl/i2003-00210-x

openalex publication_date 2003/01/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/04

Abstract

We propose high-resolution laser spectroscopy of the 3.5 eV nuclear transition in Th-229 in isolated atoms. Laser excitation of the nucleus can be detected efficiently in a double-resonance method by probing the hyperfine structure of a transition in the electron shell. It is shown that for a suitably chosen electronic level, the frequency of the nuclear transition is independent of external magnetic fields to first order and of electric fields to second order. This makes Th-229 a possible reference for an optical clock of very high accuracy. The nuclear-electronic double-resonance method can be conveniently applied to a laser-cooled ion of 229 Th 3+ in a radiofrequency trap. Further applications of nuclear laser spectroscopy are discussed.

Citations

• Some possibilities for laboratory searches for variations of fundamental constants

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