A nuclear clock synchronized to 229Th

A nuclear clock synchronized to 229Th(nature.com)

9 points by sbulaev 3 days ago | 2 comments

Dumb question: does using an unstable isotope introduce any wobble? Could this method work with a stable element?

s0rce 1 hour ago | |

What do you mean? The half-life is ~8000y so its not like you'll run out. Do you mean the isomeric state is different because the nucleus is unstable long-term, I'm not sure that this matters.

JumpCrisscross 3 days ago |

Dumb question: does using an unstable isotope introduce any wobble? Could this method work with a stable element?

s0rce 1 hour ago | |

What do you mean? The half-life is ~8000y so its not like you'll run out. Do you mean the isomeric state is different because the nucleus is unstable long-term, I'm not sure that this matters.