3 ms·
> For the first time, it has been possible to use a laser to transfer an atomic nucleus into a state of higher energy and then precisely track its return to its
by einpoklum 3y ago
> For the first time, it has been possible to use a laser to transfer an atomic nucleus into a state of higher energy and then precisely track its return to its original state.
We've known about photon-atom interactions for well over 100 years, with excitation of electrons which are either released or drop back to the original orbit, right?
So, ok, the Nucleus is smaller and the energies to alter the quantum state are probably higher, but - why is this so special, and why Thorium in particular rather than any old nuclei?
Disclaimer: I'm not a physicist.
- was_a_dev 3y agoThe energy required to alter nuclear states is often in the MeV energy range, where Thorium is a rare example that has a very close state to the ground state, seperated by 8.4eV (100,000 less energy) This means that to exicte to this nuclear state is possible using an ultraviolet laser It has important applications for nuclear theory, nuclear atomic clocks and fundemental constant metrology.