arXiv subjects

Arno Claessens

Publications and source records attributed to Arno Claessens.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Laser Spectroscopy of Thulium Isotopes Near the (N=82) Shell Closure: Nuclear Moment and Charge Radius of ${}^{152\mathrm{m}}\mathrm{Tm}$

We report on resonance ionization laser spectroscopy measurements performed on both neutron-deficient and neutron-rich thulium ($\mathrm{Tm}, Z=69$) isotopes. Isotope shifts were determined for three atomic ground-state transitions at wavelengths of $389.8\,\mathrm{nm}$, $388.4\,\mathrm{nm}$, and $388.8\,\mathrm{nm}$ in the isotopes ${}^{152\mathrm{m}}\mathrm{Tm}$, ${}^{153}\mathrm{Tm}$, ${}^{154\mathrm{m}}\mathrm{Tm}$, and ${}^{169}\mathrm{Tm}$. In addition, for the $389.8\,\mathrm{nm}$ transition, measurements were extended to the isotope ${}^{170}\mathrm{Tm}$, and the hyperfine structure was partially resolved for all five isotopes. For this transition, the isotope shift could be determined for one more isotope, ${}^{154\mathrm{m}}\mathrm{Tm}$. From the extracted hyperfine coupling constants, the nuclear magnetic dipole moment for ${}^{152\mathrm{m}}\mathrm{Tm}$ was determined for the first time, resulting in $\mu\left({}^{152\mathrm{m}}\mathrm{Tm}\right) = 5.8(3) \mu_\mathrm{N}$. Furthermore, the mean-square nuclear charge radius $\delta\langle r^2\rangle^{152\mathrm{m},169} = -1.86(25)\,\mathrm{fm}^2$ for ${}^{152\mathrm{m}}\mathrm{Tm}$ was extracted from the measured isotope shifts.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2026

Toward nanophotonic platforms for solid-state $^{229}$Th nuclear clocks

While the $^{229}$Th nuclear isomer has recently been observed and laser-excited, converting optical nuclear manipulation into a chip-scale solid-state frequency standard remains an open challenge. Here, we present a nanophotonic platform to realize an all-solid-state nuclear clock based on the low-energy isomeric transition of $^{229}$Th embedded in high-$Q$ fluoride photonic resonators. By coupling ensembles of thorium nuclei to confined optical modes, we show that resonant field build-up in the cavity can substantially enhance the nuclear excitation rate, enabling optical interrogation at practical laser intensities. We model the nuclei-photon interaction dynamics and outline a technological roadmap toward addressing this challenge, including resonator fabrication in fluoride crystals, thorium implantation, nuclear excitation with integrated lasers, and on-chip detection of vacuum-ultraviolet photons. As an initial proof of concept, we implant a crystalline fluoride whispering-gallery-mode resonator with $^{229}$Th and assess the impact of implantation-induced damage on resonator performance. Our platform leverages recent advances in materials integration and nanophotonics to chart a realistic route toward compact and scalable nuclear frequency standards.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2022

High-resolution laser system for the S3-Low Energy Branch

In this paper we present the first high-resolution laser spectroscopy results obtained at the GISELE laser laboratory of the GANIL-SPIRAL2 facility, in preparation for the first experiments with the S$^3$-Low Energy Branch. Studies of neutron-deficient radioactive isotopes of erbium and tin represent the first physics cases to be studied at S$^3$. The measured isotope-shift and hyperfine structure data are presented for stable isotopes of these elements. The erbium isotopes were studied using the $4f^{12}6s^2$ $^3H_6 \rightarrow 4f^{12}(^3 H)6s6p$ $J = 5$ atomic transition (415 nm) and the tin isotopes were studied by the $5s^25p^2 (^3P_0) \rightarrow 5s^25p6s (^3P_1)$ atomic transition (286.4 nm), and are used as a benchmark of the laser setup. Additionally, the tin isotopes were studied by the $5s^25p6s (^3P_1) \rightarrow 5s^25p6p (^3P_2)$ atomic transition (811.6 nm), for which new isotope-shift data was obtained and the corresponding field-shift $F_{812}$ and mass-shift $M_{812}$ factors are presented.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2022

Observation of the radiative decay of the ${}^{229}\mathrm{Th}$ nuclear clock isomer

The nucleus of the radioisotope thorium-229 (${}^{229}$Th) features an isomer with an exceptionally low excitation energy that enables direct laser manipulation of nuclear states. For this reason, it is a leading candidate for use in next-generation optical clocks. This nuclear clock will be a unique tool, amongst others, for tests of fundamental physics. While first indirect experimental evidence for the existence of such an extraordinary nuclear state is significantly older, the proof of existence has been delivered only recently by observing the isomer's electron conversion decay and its hyperfine structure in a laser spectroscopy study, revealing information on the isomer's excitation energy, nuclear spin and electromagnetic moments. Further studies reported the electron conversion lifetime and refined the isomer's energy. In spite of recent progress, the isomer's radiative decay, a key ingredient for the development of a nuclear clock, remained unobserved. In this Letter, we report the detection of the radiative decay of this low-energy isomer in thorium-229 (${}^{229\mathrm{m}}$Th). By performing vacuum-ultraviolet spectroscopy of ${}^{229\mathrm{m}}$Th incorporated into large-bandgap CaF${}_2$ and MgF${}_2$ crystals at the ISOLDE facility at CERN, the photon vacuum wavelength of the isomer's decay is measured as 148.71(42) nm, corresponding to an excitation energy of 8.338(24) eV. This value is in agreement with recent measurements, and decreases the uncertainty by a factor of seven. The half-life of ${}^{229\mathrm{m}}$Th embedded in MgF${}_2$ is determined to be 670(102) s. The observation of the radiative decay in a large-bandgap crystal has important consequences for the design of a future nuclear clock and the improved uncertainty of the energy eases the search for direct laser excitation of the atomic nucleus.

nucl-ex↗