中国物理B ›› 2026, Vol. 35 ›› Issue (2): 23703-023703.doi: 10.1088/1674-1056/ae31db

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Steps towards a 229Th ionic nuclear clock in a linear ion trap

Wen-Ting Gan(甘文婷)1,2, Zi Li(李梓)1,2, Chen Wang(王晨)1,2, Xia Hua(华夏)1,†, and Xin Tong(童昕)1,3,‡   

  1. 1 Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China;
    2 University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China;
    3 Wuhan Institute of Quantum Technology, Wuhan 430206, China
  • 收稿日期:2025-08-30 修回日期:2025-11-12 接受日期:2025-12-30 发布日期:2026-01-27
  • 通讯作者: Xia Hua, Xin Tong E-mail:huaxia@apm.ac.cn;tongxin@apm.ac.cn
  • 基金资助:
    Project supported by the Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (Grant No. XDB0920000) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 12341401).

Steps towards a 229Th ionic nuclear clock in a linear ion trap

Wen-Ting Gan(甘文婷)1,2, Zi Li(李梓)1,2, Chen Wang(王晨)1,2, Xia Hua(华夏)1,†, and Xin Tong(童昕)1,3,‡   

  1. 1 Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China;
    2 University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China;
    3 Wuhan Institute of Quantum Technology, Wuhan 430206, China
  • Received:2025-08-30 Revised:2025-11-12 Accepted:2025-12-30 Published:2026-01-27
  • Contact: Xia Hua, Xin Tong E-mail:huaxia@apm.ac.cn;tongxin@apm.ac.cn
  • Supported by:
    Project supported by the Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (Grant No. XDB0920000) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 12341401).

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摘要： Owing to the presence of a low-energy, long-lived nuclear isomeric state, $^{229}$Th is an ideal candidate for developing the next generation clock - the nuclear clock - holding great promise for both applied and fundamental physics. The $^{229}$Th ionic nuclear optical clock has garnered considerable attention, attributed to its high precision with a relative uncertainty of $\le 1.5 \times 10^{-19}$ and the potential for common-mode noise cancellation via self-comparison between the nuclear transition and the electronic transition of thorium ions. In this article, we focus on Th$^{n+}$ ions ($n = 1$, 2, 3) and present a comprehensive review of the current progress in the development of ionic nuclear clocks, covering essential steps such as ion generation, trapping, and cooling. Furthermore, we discuss the realization of a closed-loop clock cycle, addressing key aspects including stable isomer excitation and efficient isomer deexcitation.

关键词: $^{229}$Th ionic nuclear clock, ion generation, ion trapping and cooling, closed-loop clock cycle

Abstract: Owing to the presence of a low-energy, long-lived nuclear isomeric state, $^{229}$Th is an ideal candidate for developing the next generation clock - the nuclear clock - holding great promise for both applied and fundamental physics. The $^{229}$Th ionic nuclear optical clock has garnered considerable attention, attributed to its high precision with a relative uncertainty of $\le 1.5 \times 10^{-19}$ and the potential for common-mode noise cancellation via self-comparison between the nuclear transition and the electronic transition of thorium ions. In this article, we focus on Th$^{n+}$ ions ($n = 1$, 2, 3) and present a comprehensive review of the current progress in the development of ionic nuclear clocks, covering essential steps such as ion generation, trapping, and cooling. Furthermore, we discuss the realization of a closed-loop clock cycle, addressing key aspects including stable isomer excitation and efficient isomer deexcitation.

Key words: $^{229}$Th ionic nuclear clock, ion generation, ion trapping and cooling, closed-loop clock cycle

中图分类号:  (Ion cooling)

  • 37.10.Rs
37.10.Ty (Ion trapping) 95.55.Sh (Auxiliary and recording instruments; clocks and frequency standards)