Nuclear photonics and nuclear isomers.

Nuclear photonics is a emerging field of science which combines research with new generation γ -ray sources based on traditional and laser-based electron accelerators. Here, we discuss isomeric studies carried out with γ -ray beams having either continuous, or quasi-monochromatic photon spectra. In experiments with high-power lasers, intense secondary radiation sources are generated. Such experiments explore isomer population or de-excitation in plasma environments. Laser-accelerated particle beams with high charge also facilitate high-energy nuclear excitations, leading to efficient production of nuclear isomers with higher lying isomeric state (reaching MeV energy level) within very-short time scales. The population of isomeric states is a sensitive diagnostic method for characterization of the laser-driven secondary radiation sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]