The 229Th nucleus possesses the lowest-energy nuclear isomeric state known with potentially exciting applications in nuclear, atomic, condensed matter and optical physics, quantum information, metrology and cosmology. The direct search of 229Th nuclear isomeric transition has been very challenging because of the lack of a big signal, slow data rate, and various confusing backgrounds. Despite the efforts which span three decades by several groups around the world, the transition energy remains a mystery. In this talk, I will present the latest developments of a joint effort by physicists, chemists, and computational scientists at LANL, with the goal to measure and identify the spectrum of the 229mTh γ-ray emission for the first time. The advance once realized will clear the path for laser spectroscopy and quantum manipulation of the 229Th nucleus, as well as the study of interactions of 229mTh atomic nucleus with host materials and development of a 229Th nuclear clock.

Search for the vacuum ultra-violet 229Th nuclear isomeric transition in MgF2

251st National Meeting (2016)

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