X-Ray-Induced Quenching of the Th 229 Clock Isomer in CaF 2

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Abstract
Recent studies have shown that the lifetime of the isomeric ^{229}Th doped in crystals can be shortened by x-ray or laser irradiation, a phenomenon referred to as isomer quenching. We investigate the temperature dependence of x-ray-induced quenching in ^{229}Th:CaF_{2} and identify a correlation with the afterglow of the host crystal. These results suggest a mechanism in which x-ray-induced electrons migrate through the lattice and are captured at Th sites, enabling isomer deexcitation via internal conversion through electron-nucleus coupling. This mechanism links nuclear decay to charge carrier dynamics in the host crystal, providing a new interface between nuclear and solid-state physics. The findings offer a pathway to optimize the performance of solid-state nuclear clocks.
Funding Information
  • Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JP21H04473)
  • Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JP23K13125)
  • Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JP24K00646)
  • Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JP24H00228)
  • Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JP24KJ0168)
  • Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JP25K17413)
  • Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JP25H00397)
  • Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (120222003)
  • Japan Science and Technology Agency (JPMJCR24I6)
  • Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology
  • European Research Council
  • Horizon 2020 Framework Programme (856415)
  • Austrian Science Fund
  • RIKEN (20220059)
  • RIKEN (20230042)
  • RIKEN (20240067)
  • RIKEN (20250047)
  • Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute (2022A1401)
  • Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute (2022A1732)
  • Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute (2022B1418)
  • Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute (2023A1358)
  • Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute (2023B1311)
  • Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute (2024A1378)
  • Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute (2025A1392)

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