Photo-Induced Quenching of the 229Th Isomer in a Solid-State Host

Authors :: Terhune, J. E. S.
Elwell, R.
Tan, H. B. Tran
Perera, U. C.
Morgan, H. W. T.
Alexandrova, A. N.
Derevianko, Andrei
Hudson, Eric R.
Publication Year :: 2024
Abstract: The population dynamics of the 229Th isomeric state is studied in a solid-state host under laser illumination. A photoquenching process is observed, where off-resonant vacuum-ultraviolet (VUV) radiation leads to relaxation of the isomeric state. The cross-section for this photoquenching process is measured and a model for the decay process, where photoexcitation of electronic states within the material bandgap opens an internal conversion decay channel, is presented and appears to reproduce the measured cross-section.<br />Comment: 7 pages, 6 figures