Nuclear Excitation of the ^{229}Th Isomer via Defect States in Doped Crystals.

When Th nuclei are doped in CaF_{2} crystals, a set of electronic defect states appear in the crystal band gap which would otherwise provide complete transparency to vacuum-ultraviolet radiation. The coupling of these defect states to the 8 eV ^{229m}Th nuclear isomer in the CaF_{2} crystal is investigated theoretically. We show that although previously viewed as a nuisance, the defect states provide a starting point for nuclear excitation via electronic bridge mechanisms involving stimulated emission or absorption using an optical laser.