Thorium-229: The Atomic Quantum Battery ⚡ экспресс
The electron shell of the thorium-229 ion with an M1 transition at 8.4 eV and the ground-state doublet of the nucleus with a similar energy represent two spatially nested qubits. When the transition energies are relatively close, weakly damped oscillations can arise between them, with multiple coherent transfers of energy from the shell to the nucleus and back. The process does not require resonant coincidence within the level widths due to the high interaction energy of electronic and nuclear currents. The electron shell “breathes,” periodically changing size, which is observable in an ion trap by the intensity of scattered light. This extends the energy range for exciting the 229mTh isomer (3/2+, 8.4 eV) via the electronic bridge. Under coherent laser irradiation, the system turns into a nuclear quantum battery: charging (isomer excitation) is achieved by coherent excitation of the shell, followed by energy transfer to the nucleus. The result opens the possibility of creating a nuclear quantum battery based on 229Th at the current technological level.
Two pendulums on a shared string trade motion: push one, and the second starts swinging, and a moment later the first gets a push back. In a thorium-229 atom, energy flows nearly loss-free between the electron shell and the nucleus.
This rhythm can be seen in an atom trap: analyzing the light (spectroscopy) and measuring brightness (photometry) reveal the shell's oscillations. A laser charges it, and the energy dives into the nucleus—creating a wireless nuclear battery recharged by light. It all rests on the laws of the Standard Model, which describes matter. Niels Bohr deciphered the layered structure of the atom, and Ernest Rutherford discovered its massive nucleus.
Nuclei usually demand harsh gamma radiation. But thorium-229 is unique: its nucleus is excited by soft ultraviolet light with an energy of just 8.4 electronvolts—that’s electron-level energy, not nuclear. The energy is a million times smaller than typical nuclear energy, so this battery can be built right now.
🎯 The thorium-229 nucleus can be 'charged' not with gamma rays but with ordinary ultraviolet light—its excitation energy is only 8.4 electronvolts, like an electron jump in an atom, not a nuclear reaction.