The 9th International Conference on Matter and Radiation at Extremes (ICMRE2026) ( ICMRE2026)

Thorium-229 (²²⁹Th) possesses a uniquely low-energy nuclear isomer (^229mTh), which serves as a promising foundation for next-generation nuclear clocks offering unprecedented precision and stability. The ability to produce and control ^229mTh is essential for advancing these technologies and for exploring fundamental physics. In this work, we present a novel method to generate ^229mTh via neutron capture. By utilizing a neutron source, the isomeric state can be efficiently populated, providing a reliable supply of  ^229mTh for experimental studies. This approach opens new opportunities for the development of nuclear clocks and enables precision investigations of fundamental interactions and constants using this exceptional nuclear system.

nuclear physcis,229mTh