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.
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
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Ricky Elwell
University of California, Los Angeles
Authors
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Ricky Elwell
University of California, Los Angeles
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Christian Schneider
University of California Los Angeles, University of California, Los Angeles
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Justin Jeet
Lawrence Livermore Natl Lab
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Galen O'Neil
National Institute of Standards and Technology Boulder, National Institute of Standards
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Varun Verma
National Institute of Standards
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Dileep V Reddy
National Institute of Standards and Technology Boulder, National Institute of Standards
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Sae Woo Nam
National Institute of Standards and Technology Boulder, National Institute of Standards
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Eric R Hudson
UCLA, University of California, Los Angeles