For many years, physicists have been on a quest to uncover a specific state of thorium atomic nuclei that holds the potential for groundbreaking technological advancements. This elusive state could pave the way for the development of a nuclear clock capable of time measurement with unprecedented precision, surpassing even the most advanced atomic clocks in existence today. Furthermore, it could unravel new fundamental questions in physics, such as the constancy of nature’s fundamental constants in varying spatial and temporal dimensions.
The manipulation of atoms or molecules using lasers has become a common practice in modern physics. By selecting the appropriate wavelength, transitions between different states of atoms or molecules can be induced, enabling highly accurate energy measurements. However, the application of these techniques to atomic nuclei has long been deemed infeasible due to the significantly higher energy requirements for such transitions compared to electrons within atoms or molecules.
Since the 1970s, speculation has arisen regarding a peculiar atomic nucleus, thorium-229, which exhibits two closely adjacent energy states that could potentially be manipulated using a laser. Despite decades of indirect evidence pointing towards the existence of this transition, the challenge lay in determining the energy of the transition with extreme precision, akin to finding a needle in a haystack or a buried treasure chest on a vast island.
In contrast to previous approaches involving individual thorium nuclei held in place by electromagnetic traps, a research team led by Prof. Thorsten Schumm from TU Wien devised a novel technique using specially developed thorium-containing crystals. These crystals facilitated the study of a vast number of thorium nuclei simultaneously, enhancing the probability of identifying the energy transition and significantly expediting the measurement process.
After years of dedicated research and persistent efforts, on November 21, 2023, the team achieved a momentous breakthrough. By precisely hitting the energy of the thorium transition, the laser successfully induced the state change in thorium nuclei, marking a significant milestone in physics and paving the way for future precision measurements and technological advancements.
The successful excitation of the thorium state opens up a myriad of possibilities for applications in diverse fields of science and technology. Apart from the development of highly accurate atomic clocks, the technology could be utilized for analyzing Earth’s gravitational field, shedding light on mineral resources and seismic activities. Moreover, it offers a promising avenue for probing fundamental mysteries of physics, including the variability of nature’s constants over time.
The discovery of the thorium transition represents a pivotal moment in the realm of physics, heralding a new era of precision measurements and scientific exploration. As researchers delve deeper into the implications of this breakthrough, the possibilities for innovation and discovery are boundless, promising a future filled with technological marvels and profound insights into the fundamental workings of the universe.
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