Quantum Institute: Visitor Schedule

The Quantum Lunch is regularly held on Thursdays in the Theoretical Division Conference Room, TA-3, Building 123, Room 121.
For more information, contact Diego Dalvit.

Tuesday, October 7, 2008
12:30 PM to 2 PM

Speaker: Adam Steele, Georgia Tech

Technical Host: Xinxin Zhao

TOPIC: Optical Nuclear Physics Step 1: Trapping Th3+

Abstract
The nucleus of the 229-Th isotope is unique in that is possesses a very low energy (7.5 eV) nuclear isomer. It may be possible to someday drive this transition coherently, opening the way for a new kind of optical clock and more precise measurements of fundamental constants. The Th3+ ion is an ideal candidate for such work because of its simplified level structure and potentially long trap lifetime. I will present the recent progress towards the realization of an optical nuclear frequency standard, namely the trapping and observation of 232-Th3+ ions, by the Chapman and Kuzmich research groups at Georgia Tech.