Direct Excitation of the Thorium-229 Nuclear Isomeric Transition and Investigations of its Behavior in Solid-State Hosts

This book presents definitive laser excitation of the thorium-229 isomeric nuclear transition, a long sought after achievement which heralds a new era of nuclear quantum science. It includes many other noteworthy results and innovations which will open up new avenues of research: development of advanced VUV laser systems, cryogenic platforms, superconducting-nanowire detection techniques, and sophisticated statistical analysis methods rivaling those used in large-scale particle-physics collaborations. The author’s persistence across multiple challenging experimental campaigns, each requiring original engineering solutions and deep physical insight, ultimately enabled the breakthrough observation that earned him the APS Deborah Jin Award for Outstanding Doctoral Thesis Research in Atomic, Molecular, or Optical Physics.