229Th-doped nonlinear optical crystals for compact solid-state clocks

TL;DR

This paper proposes using 229Th-doped nonlinear optical crystals to develop portable solid-state nuclear optical clocks, eliminating the need for complex vacuum-ultraviolet laser systems and vacuum maintenance.

Contribution

It introduces a novel approach of doping nonlinear optical crystals with 229Th to enable compact, fieldable nuclear optical clocks without specialized laser systems.

Findings

Potential for portable nuclear optical clocks

Elimination of vacuum-ultraviolet laser requirement

Simplification of clock system design

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.