Lasers as a Bridge between Atomic and Nuclear Physics

Abstract

This paper reviews the application of optical and UV laser radiation to several topics in low-energy nuclear physics. We consider the laser-induced nuclear anti-Stokes transitions, the laser-assisted and the laser-induced internal conversion, and the Electron Bridge and Inverse Electron Bridge mechanisms as tools for deexciting and exciting of low-lying nuclear isomeric states. A study of the anomalous, by low-lying, nuclear isomeric states (on an example of the ${}^{229}$Th nucleus) is presented in detail.

Comments: 67 pages, Tex, 18 figures available upon request from ani@phy.duke.edu