Superconducting Nanowire Spectroscopy of the <sup>229</sup>Th Isomer

ORAL

Abstract

The nucleus of 229Th has an exceptionally low-energy isomeric transition in the

vacuum-ultraviolet (VUV) spectrum around 8 eV [1]. While a precise measurement of

this transition is difficult with standard nuclear physics techniques, its low

energy provide several new pathways for measuring this laser-accessible nuclear transition.

It has been established that the isomer de-excites primarily via the internal conversion (IC)

channel when neutralized in a solid, with a half-life of 7 μs [2,3]. We will report on an effort

to measure the IC decay of isomeric 229Th within a superconducting nano-wire single-photon imager (SNSPI).

By leveraging the SNSPI's bias-current-dependent energy responsivity, we aim to measure the

energy released by the isomer into the nano-wire. This in turn will further constrain the

isomer's energy, helping to guide future laser searches.

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Presenters

  • Ricky Elwell

    • University of California, Los Angeles

Authors

  • Ricky Elwell

    • University of California, Los Angeles

  • Christian Schneider

    • University of California Los Angeles
    • University of California, Los Angeles

  • Justin Jeet

    • Lawrence Livermore Natl Lab

  • Galen O'Neil

    • National Institute of Standards and Technology Boulder
    • National Institute of Standards

  • Varun Verma

    • National Institute of Standards

  • Dileep V Reddy

    • National Institute of Standards and Technology Boulder
    • National Institute of Standards

  • Sae Woo Nam

    • National Institute of Standards and Technology Boulder
    • National Institute of Standards

  • Eric R Hudson

    • UCLA
    • University of California, Los Angeles