arXiv subjects

Niyusha Hosseini

Publications and source records attributed to Niyusha Hosseini.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

The time of arrival problem in the Page-Wootters formalism

The time-of-arrival problem asks for the probability distribution for when a quantum particle reaches a specified location. It has been the subject of decades of debate, exemplifying the lack of a self-adjoint time observable in quantum theory. In the Page-Wootters framework, time is a relational quantity, emerging from correlations between a system and a clock induced by a global Hamiltonian constraint. We construct a time-of-arrival distribution by inverting the Page-Wootters approach, asking what time a clock reads given that the particle arrives at some fixed position. The result coincides with a common approach to the time-of-arrival problem, suggesting a potential relational interpretation of the latter. In addition to providing a relational description of the time-of-arrival problem, this gives an application of the Page-Wootters formalism to a concrete physical problem, and reveals some complications with its canonical interpretation as a theory of conditional probabilities.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2024

Optical Transmission Enhancement of Ionic Crystals via Superionic Fluoride Transfer: Growing VUV-Transparent Radioactive Crystals

The 8 eV first nuclear excited state in $^{229}$Th is a candidate for implementing an nuclear clock. Doping $^{229}$Th into ionic crystals such as CaF$_2$ is expected to suppress non-radiative decay, enabling nuclear spectroscopy and the realization of a solid-state optical clock. Yet, the inherent radioactivity of $^{229}$Th prohibits the growth of high-quality single crystals with high $^{229}$Th concentration; radiolysis causes fluoride loss, increasing absorption at 8 eV. We overcome this roadblock by annealing $^{229}$Th doped CaF$_2$ at 1250$\unicode{x2103}$ in CF$_4$. The technique presented here allows to adjust the fluoride content without crystal melting, preserving its single-crystal structure. Superionic state annealing ensures rapid fluoride distribution, creating fully transparent and radiation-hard crystals. This approach enables control over the charge state of dopants which can be used in deep UV optics, laser crystals, scintillators, and nuclear clocks.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2022

Growth and characterization of thorium-doped calcium fluoride single crystals

We have grown $^{232}$Th:CaF$_2$ and $^{229}$Th:CaF$_2$ single crystals for investigations on the VUV laser-accessible first nuclear excited state of $^{229}$Th. To reach high doping concentrations despite the extreme scarcity (and radioactivity) of $^{229}$Th, we have scaled down the crystal volume by a factor 100 compared to established commercial or scientific growth processes. We use the vertical gradient freeze method on 3.2 mm diameter seed single crystals with a 2 mm drilled pocket, filled with a co-precipitated CaF$_2$:ThF$_4$:PbF$_2$ powder in order to grow single crystals. Concentrations of $4\cdot10^{19}$ cm$^{-3}$ have been realized with $^{232}$Th with good ($>$10%) VUV transmission. However, the intrinsic radioactivity of $^{229}$Th drives radio-induced dissociation during growth and radiation damage after solidification. Both lead to a degradation of VUV transmission, limiting the $^{229}$Th concentration to $<5\cdot10^{17}$ cm$^{-3}$.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

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↗