Physicists at JILA achieved a groundbreaking discovery by measuring a nuclear transition in thorium-229, paving the way for a “nuclear clock” that could probe the forces binding the universe. The precise measurement, reported in Nature, has implications for testing the constancy of fundamental physics laws. The accidental cancellation of forces in the thorium-229 nucleus makes its transition highly sensitive to variations in fundamental constants. This unexpected phenomenon could lead to groundbreaking discoveries in the future. The quest to unlock the potential of thorium-229 continues, with researchers working to improve measurement precision and explore deeper aspects of the universe.
https://www.quantamagazine.org/the-first-nuclear-clock-will-test-if-fundamental-constants-change-20240904/