Results of a Direct Search Using Synchrotron Radiation for the Low-Energy 229Th Nuclear Isomeric Transition
Abstract
We report the results of a direct search for the 229Th (Iπ=3 /2+←5 /2+ ) nuclear isomeric transition, performed by exposing 229Th -doped LiSrAlF6 crystals to tunable vacuum-ultraviolet synchrotron radiation and observing any resulting fluorescence. We also use existing nuclear physics data to establish a range of possible transition strengths for the isomeric transition. We find no evidence for the thorium nuclear transition between 7.3 eV and 8.8 eV with transition lifetime (1-2) s ≲τ ≲(2000 - 5600 ) s . This measurement excludes roughly half of the favored transition search area and can be used to direct future searches.
- Publication:
-
Physical Review Letters
- Pub Date:
- June 2015
- DOI:
- arXiv:
- arXiv:1502.02189
- Bibcode:
- 2015PhRvL.114y3001J
- Keywords:
-
- 21.10.Tg;
- 23.20.Lv;
- 27.90.+b;
- 32.50.+d;
- Lifetimes;
- gamma transitions and level energies;
- 220<
- =A;
- Fluorescence phosphorescence;
- Physics - Atomic Physics;
- Nuclear Experiment
- E-Print:
- 6 pages, 4 figures