Electromagnetic Processes of Nuclear Excitation: From Direct Photoabsorption to Free Electron and Muon Capture

For decades, scientists have envisioned the possibility of storing energy in the form of nuclear excitations, resulting in specific nuclear configurations known as isomers. These unique metastable states have the ability to maintain their excited state for periods that range from several years to time spans exceeding the age of the Universe. However, despite numerous research efforts, achieving effective and practical control over isomer activation or depletion continues to be an unresolved challenge. This book delves into the world of isomers, beginning with an accessible overview of their essential properties and significance as long-duration energy storage solutions. Across the chapters, the book delves into diverse electromagnetic mechanisms responsible for nuclear excitation. It presents the ongoing debate surrounding the Nuclear Excitation by Electron Capture (NEEC) process, offering a comprehensivehistorical background that ranges from its early proposal to the latest tools employed for its investigation. The subsequent chapter explores the possibilities of using muons, introducing a novel process called Nuclear Excitation by Free Muon Capture (NEμC). The primary aim of these sections is to identify methods that could either increase the likelihood of these nuclear processes or provide real-time external manipulation over them. In the last chapter, the book revisits the process of nuclear photoabsorption in optical laser-generated plasma through experimental efforts, offering a fresh interpretation of existing literature results. Overall, the book delivers a clear and comprehensive overview, aiming to assist newcomers and established scientists in quickly grasping the core aspects of the subjects, possibly guiding their research endeavors. Hopefully, this resource will act as a catalyst for sparking new ideas while providing insights into the intricacies and opportunitiespresented by nuclear excitations within the realm of nuclear physics.

Simone Gargiulo grew up in the small town of Boscoreale, in the province of Naples, Italy. Here, besides being a hyperactive child, he absorbed the richness of the Neapolitan spirit, for which he is deeply grateful. Due to his talkative nature, many professors encouraged him to explore humanistic studies, an idea that he greatly appreciated. However, Simone ultimately chose to undertake scientific studies. After much internal debate between physics and engineering -- almost as if reflecting an eternal struggle -- he pursued a Bachelor and Master of Science in Electronic Engineering at the University of Naples Federico II, graduating Summa Cum Laude in 2018. During his master’s, he had the opportunity to spend more than one year at CERN, where he worked on crystal collimation for the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). In 2019, reviving a previously suppressed interest in fundamental physics, Simone secured an open position at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), sponsored by Google Inc. At EPFL, he delved into the study of nuclear excitation phenomena within the framework of nuclear energy storage. He earned his Ph.D. in Physics from EPFL in 2023, and his doctoral thesis was recognized with the Swiss Physical Society Award for General Physics. Though his academic journey has been primarily scientific, Simone has always maintained a vibrant passion for philosophy and the humanities.