Characterization of the thorium-229 defect structure in CaF2 crystals

Characterization of the thorium-229 defect structure in CaF2 crystals

Recent advancements in laser excitation of the low-energy thorium-229 ( ^229 Th) nuclear isomeric state in calcium fluoride (CaF _2 ) single crystals render this system a promising candidate for a solid-state nuclear clock. Nonetheless, the precise experimental determination of the microscopic ion c...

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Main Authors: S Takatori, M Pimon, S Pollitt, M Bartokos, K Beeks, A Grüneis, T Hiraki, T Honma, N Hosseini, A Leitner, T Masuda, I Morawetz, K Nitta, K Okai, T Riebner, F Schaden, T Schumm, O Sekizawa, T Sikorsky, Y Takahashi, L Toscani De Col, R Yamamoto, T Yomogida, A Yoshimi, K Yoshimura
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: IOP Publishing 2025-01-01
Series:New Journal of Physics
Subjects:
solid-state nuclear clock
thorium-229
XAFS
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1088/1367-2630/adce22
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Summary:Recent advancements in laser excitation of the low-energy thorium-229 ( ^229 Th) nuclear isomeric state in calcium fluoride (CaF _2 ) single crystals render this system a promising candidate for a solid-state nuclear clock. Nonetheless, the precise experimental determination of the microscopic ion configuration surrounding the doped ^229 Th and its electronic charge state remains a critical challenge. Such characterization is essential for precisely controlling the clock transition and evaluating the performance of this solid-state nuclear clock system. In this study, we use x-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy of ^229 Th:CaF _2 to investigate the charge state and coordination environment of doped ^229 Th. The results indicate that ^229 Th displays a 4+ oxidation state at the substitutional site of a Ca ^2+ ion, with charge compensated provided by two F ^− ions positioned at interstitial sites adjacent to ^229 Th.
ISSN:1367-2630

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