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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

From photons to protons: Argonne team makes breakthrough in high-energy particle detection

Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory have developed a new use for superconducting nanowire photon detectors to detect high-energy protons, opening up exciting opportunities in nuclear and particle physics. The team found that wire widths smaller than 400 nanometers demonstrate high detection efficiency.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalNuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research·DateFeb 11, 2025

Land ahoy! — Experiments at GSI/FAIR reveal the shoreline of the island of stability of superheavy elements

Researchers at GSI/FAIR discovered the shortest-lived superheavy nucleus, Rf-252, marking the position of the island's shoreline in nuclei of rutherfordium. The results confirm theoretical predictions and enable further exploration of phenomena associated with isomer states and inverted fission stability.

SourceGSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 15, 2025

Research team demonstrated nonlinear compton scattering with a multi-petawatt laser, mimicking astrophysical phenomena and producing ultra-bright gamma rays

A team of researchers successfully demonstrated nonlinear Compton scattering using a multi-petawatt laser, producing ultra-bright gamma rays. The achievement offers new insights into high-energy electron-photon interactions without traditional particle accelerators.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalNature Photonics·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 25, 2024

Long-sought measurement of exotic beta decay in thallium helps extract the timescale of the Sun’s birth

Researchers successfully measured the bound-state beta decay of fully-ionized thallium ions, revealing key information about AGB star production and the Sun's formation time. The discovery allows for accurate calculations of radioactive lead production in these stars, providing insights into the solar system's early history.

SourceGSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 14, 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

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

Study reveals twisted origin of dead stars’ mysterious ‘heartbeats’

Researchers have proposed a new model explaining neutron star glitches, suggesting that the power-law behavior of glitch energies is due to the formation of twisted clusters of superfluid vortices. The study found that the exponent for the power-law behavior closely matched the observed data.

Quantum breakthrough: World’s purest silicon brings scientists one step closer to scaling up quantum computers

Researchers at the University of Manchester have developed an ultra-pure form of silicon that can be used to construct high-performance qubit devices, a crucial component for scalable quantum computers. The breakthrough could enable the creation of one million qubits, which may be fabricated into pinhead-sized devices.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalCommunications Materials·DateMay 7, 2024

Supercool delivery: final section of souped-up neutron source trucks out of Jefferson Lab

The Spallation Neutron Source at Oak Ridge National Laboratory is receiving a major upgrade thanks to US neutron science facility Jefferson Lab. The final cryomodule has been successfully delivered and will double the power capability of the linear accelerator, enabling next-generation neutron science research. This delivery marks the ...