Objective
Thorium-229 provides the lowest-energy excited nuclear state of all isotopes, only 8.356 eV above the ground state. This isomeric state is accessible to laser manipulation, opening up the perspective of implementing quantum optics with atomic nuclei. Exciting applications are proposed for this unique system, ranging from nuclear clocks, gamma lasers, to searches for physics beyond the standard model.
The first laser excitation of the Th-229 nucleus has been realized and the general feasibility of a nuclear clock has been demonstrated by the applicant’s team in 2024; the field has seen dramatic progress since then.
All experiments to date are performed in the weak saturation regime, where the nuclear excitation rate is much smaller than the isomer decay rate and all relevant decoherence rates. Hence only a miniscule fraction of nuclei is actually excited and coherent manipulation is prohibited - a major roadblock for all prospects outline above.
The aim of COCONUT is to establish Th-229 nuclear excitation in the strong saturation and Rabi regime, achieving quantum control over atomic nuclei. We will use narrow-band CW lasers to efficiently drive the nuclear transition in resonant 1- and 2-photon processes. The interrogated systems will be Th4+ ions embedded into VUV transparent crystals and Th3+ ions in an ion trap. VUV lasers at 148.4 nm will be developed using frequency doubling in SrB4O7 and BaMgF4. A Fabry-Pérot cavity and a whispering gallery mode resonator will be used to leverage the low 2-photon excitation rate at 296.7 nm and enable nucleus-cavity-coupling.
COCONUT will realize population inversion in a solid-state nuclear ensemble coupled to a resonator to initiate collective emission and gamma lasing. Exploiting strong light-nucleus interactions we will build one solid-state and one trapped-ion thorium nuclear clock reaching performances competitive with atomic clocks; comparing to an existing Yb+ ion clock allows to probe fundamental interactions.
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Keywords
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Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
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Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
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Topic(s)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
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Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants
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Call for proposal
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2025-ADG
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1040 Wien
Austria
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