Proposal and theoretical investigation of 229Th-doped nonlinear optical crystals for compact solid-state clocks
Abstract
The recent laser excitation of the 229Th isomeric transition in a solid-state host opens the door for a portable solid-state nuclear optical clock. However, at present, the vacuum-ultraviolet laser systems required for clock operation are not conducive to a fieldable form factor. Here, we propose a possible solution to this problem by using 229Th-doped nonlinear optical crystals, which would allow clock operation without a vacuum-ultraviolet laser system and without the need of maintaining the crystal under vacuum. We investigate electronic properties and thorium doping in BaMgF4 and BaZnF4 with density functional theory, predicting BaMgF4 to be the superior material, and evaluate the performance of a Th:BaMgF4 clock.
Article Details
Journal Info
Applied Physics Letters
American Institute of Physics
Authors (8)
H. W. T. Morgan
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles 1 , Los Angeles, California 90095,
R. Elwell
Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of California 3 , Los Angeles, California 90095,
J. E. S. Terhune
Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of California 3 , Los Angeles, California 90095,
H. B. Tran Tan
Department of Physics, University of Nevada 4 , Reno, Nevada 89557,
U. C. Perera
Department of Physics, University of Nevada 4 , Reno, Nevada 89557,
A. Derevianko
Department of Physics, University of Nevada 4 , Reno, Nevada 89557,
A. N. Alexandrova
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles 1 , Los Angeles, California 90095,
E. R. Hudson
Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of California 3 , Los Angeles, California 90095,