The 8.4-eV transition in the ${}^{229}\mathrm{Th}$ nucleus is the basis for a high-precision nuclear clock with exceptional sensitivity to new physics effects. We have identified several cases in the ${\mathrm{Th}}^{+}$ ion where electronic excitations closely resonate with the nuclear excitation, with the smallest energy difference being $\mathrm{\Delta }=-0.09{\mathrm{cm}}^{-1}$. We investigate the electronic bridge process, in which nuclear excitation is induced via electronic transitions, and demonstrate that a proper selection of laser frequencies can lead to a dramatic enhancement of this effect. Additionally, we show that the interaction with electrons significantly shortens the lifetime of the nuclear excited state.

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• Atomic & molecular processes in external fields
• Atomic, optical & lattice clocks
• Ions