Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Physicists observe rare nuclear isomer in ytterbium-150 for first time, advancing nuclear structure research

Researchers observe rare nuclear isomer in ytterbium-150, measuring its half-life and establishing its decay scheme. The study reveals an isomeric relay mechanism, shifting the configuration of nuclei within the 10+ isomeric chain, extending its persistence into the proton drip line region.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 11, 2026

The dark side of time

Researchers propose a novel method for detecting dark matter using thorium-229 nucleus properties, with potential to detect forces 10 trillion times weaker than gravity. The new approach aims to identify minute deviations in the absorption spectrum of thorium-229 to reveal dark matter's influence.

SourceWeizmann Institute of Science·JournalPhysical Review X·DateJul 14, 2025

The heaviest proton emitter: A new type of atomic nucleus discovered in the Accelerator Laboratory of the University of Jyväskylä

Researchers at the University of Jyväskylä have measured the heaviest nucleus decaying via proton emission, revealing a 'watermelon-shaped' structure and unprecedented interactions in heavy nuclei. This discovery expands our understanding of atomic nuclei and their properties.

SourceUniversity of Jyväskylä - Jyväskylän yliopisto·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 4, 2025

New method to produce an extremely heavy hydrogen isotope at the Mainz Microtron accelerator MAMI

Researchers at A1 Collaboration successfully produced hydrogen-6 in an electron scattering experiment, challenging current understanding of multi-nucleon interactions. The measurement revealed a stronger interaction between neutrons within the nucleus than expected, indicating a lower ground-state energy for ⁶H.

SourceJohannes Gutenberg Universitaet Mainz·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateApr 30, 2025

The ticking of thorium nuclear optical clocks

The thorium-229 nuclear optical clock has the potential to achieve a very high-precision time and frequency standard due to its unique properties. Despite significant progress, numerous challenges remain, including temperature sensitivity and the scarcity of the isotope.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·DateApr 1, 2025

New quantum sensing technology reveals sub-atomic signals

Researchers have developed a new quantum sensing technology that can detect individual nuclei, revealing tiny differences in molecular structure and dynamics. This unprecedented sensitivity enables scientists to study the building blocks of nature at an entirely new scale, leading to breakthroughs in fields like drug development.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalNano Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 6, 2025

Getting a grip on quark mixing

Researchers use precise measurements of radioactive decay processes to calculate quark mixing, uncovering effects involving weak interactions that dominate uncertainty. The work may hold promise for uncovering footprints of new physics in nuclear processes.

SourceUniversiteit van Amsterdam·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateDec 4, 2024

Successful experiment paves the way for new element

Researchers at Lund University successfully produced livermorium atoms using a new method, opening the door to creating even heavier elements like number 120. The discovery was made possible by a custom-built detector system called SHREC, which allowed for efficient registration of the atoms.

SourceLund University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateOct 24, 2024

How fast is quantum entanglement?

Researchers at TU Wien have developed computer simulations to investigate the temporal development of quantum entanglement. They found that the 'birth time' of an electron flying away from an atom is related to the state of the remaining electron, demonstrating a quantum-physical superposition.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateOct 22, 2024

Towards the realization of compact and portable nuclear clocks

Researchers from Okayama University successfully controlled the population of the thorium-229 isomeric state using X-rays, a crucial step towards building a compact and portable nuclear clock. This achievement demonstrates the potential for nuclear clocks to advance fundamental physics research and other applications such as GPS systems.

SourceOkayama University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 13, 2024

The world's first nuclear clock

Scientists at TU Wien and JILA/NIST have successfully created the world's first nuclear clock, leveraging thorium atomic nuclei to achieve ultra-high precision measurements. The breakthrough combines a high-precision optical atomic clock with a high-energy laser system, setting the stage for future improvements in precision.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 4, 2024

A time crystal made of giant atoms

Scientists at Tsinghua University and TU Wien have created a time crystal made of giant Rydberg atoms, exhibiting spontaneous symmetry breaking and oscillating light absorption. This breakthrough deepens our understanding of the time crystal phenomenon, offering potential applications in sensors.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalNature Physics·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 9, 2024

New study reveals details of nuclear structures via atomic collisions

Researchers uncovered details about nuclear structures using relativistic isobar collisions, highlighting differences in multiplicity distribution and elliptic flow. The study employed advanced models and technology to analyze the effects of nuclear deformations and initial fluctuations on ratio observables.

SourceNuclear Science and Techniques·JournalNuclear Science and Techniques·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 4, 2024

Ghost particle on the scales

Researchers have made groundbreaking measurements of the electron capture of the artificial isotope holmium-163, which allows them to determine a Q value for the decay process. This enabled them to measure the neutrino mass with unprecedented precision using a super-sensitive scale and detector.

SourceMax-Planck-Institut fur Kernphysik·JournalNature Physics·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 19, 2024

Simulation provides images from the carbon nucleus

Researchers simulated all known energy states of the carbon nucleus, providing insights into the puzzling Hoyle state and its configuration. The study reveals that protons and neutrons are clustered into groups, creating spatial formations with distinct shapes and energies.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 15, 2023

Cooking up plasmas with microwaves

Researchers at Kyoto University have successfully created stable plasmas using microwaves, a key step towards harnessing nuclear fusion's massive energy potential. The team identified three crucial steps in plasma production and used Heliotron J to generate the dense plasmas.

SourceKyoto University·JournalProblems of Atomic Science and Technology·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 28, 2023