Toward the World's First Nuclear Clock

Jason Burke | 18-LW-038

Overview

The research effort created a very high-efficiency ion guide system and ion mass separator to study nuclear isotopes of interest, opening the door for novel studies of the interplay between atomic and nuclear systems. The mass separator is of general design and can be used to isotopically separate ions ranging from those with a low atomic number (Z=1) to those with a high atomic number (Z=92) in an efficient manner.

Impact on Mission

This works enhances the capabilities and expertise in Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory's nuclear, chemical, and isotopic science and technology core competencies.

Publications, Presentations, Etc.

Burke, J. 2019. "One Tick Closer to a Nuclear Clock." Nature 573, 202–203 (2019). doi: 10.1038/d41586-019-02664-8. LLNL-JRNL-789525.