Project description
Nuclear clock hits a new milestone with a proposed readout scheme
With excitation energy of only a few eV, Thorium-229 (229Th) is the only known nuclear isomeric state accessible to laser manipulation. Novel applications include technological improvements in the nuclear clock. The exact excitation energy of the 229Th isomer remains unknown but there has been significant progress in constraining its energy. All recent results place the energy between 7.9 eV to 8.4 eV, within the transmission band of large-band-gap VUV materials, such as single fluoride crystals. Embedding 229Th inside a solid-state crystaladdresses a large number of nuclei. The EU-funded CRYSTALCLOCK project aims to develop a readout scheme for a solid-state nuclear clock based on nuclear quadrupole resonance spectroscopy (NQRS). Interaction of the nuclear quadrupole moment with the electric field gradient of the crystal causes splitting of the nuclear states. NQRS can be used for non-destructive readout of the nuclear state during clock operation and will provide information about the chemical environment of 229Th atoms in the crystal lattice.
Objective
The low-energy excited state of the Thorium-229 (229Th) nucleus has fascinated researchers for decades. With excitation energy of only a few eV, it is the only known nuclear isomeric state accessible to laser manipulation. This system opens up many novel applications, ranging from tests of variations of the fundamental constants to technological implementations as a nuclear clock. While the exact excitation energy of the 229Th isomer remains unknown, significant progress has been made in constraining its energy in recent months. Most importantly, all recent results place the energy between 7.5 eV to 8.5 eV. This is within the transmission band of large-band-gap VUV materials such as single fluoride crystals. It becomes hence possible to embed 229Th inside a solid-state crystal and address a large number of nuclei.
This project aims to develop a readout scheme for a solid-state nuclear clock based on nuclear quadrupole resonance spectroscopy (NQRS). The interaction of the nuclear quadrupole moment with the electric field gradient of the crystal causes the splitting of the nuclear states. NQRS can be used for non-destructive readout of the nuclear state during clock operation. Moreover, the NQRS will provide valuable information about the microscopic structure of 229Th atoms doped into the crystal lattice.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences physical sciences atomic physics
- natural sciences physical sciences optics laser physics
- natural sciences physical sciences optics spectroscopy
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
MAIN PROGRAMME
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H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
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Topic(s)
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.
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.
Funding Scheme
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.
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.
MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2019
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1040 Wien
Austria
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