Nuclear photonics is a emerging field of science which combines research with new generation \(\gamma \)-ray sources based on traditional and laser-based electron accelerators. Here, we discuss isomeric studies carried out with \(\gamma \)-ray beams having either continuous, or quasi-monochromatic photon spectra. In experiments with high-power lasers, intense secondary radiation sources are generated. Such experiments explore isomer population or de-excitation in plasma environments. Laser-accelerated particle beams with high charge also facilitate high-energy nuclear excitations, leading to efficient production of nuclear isomers with higher lying isomeric state (reaching MeV energy level) within very-short time scales. The population of isomeric states is a sensitive diagnostic method for characterization of the laser-driven secondary radiation sources.

核光子学是一个新兴的科学领域，它结合了基于传统和激光电子加速器的新一代伽马射线源的研究。在这里，我们讨论使用具有连续或准单色光子光谱的\(\gamma \)射线束进行的异构研究。在高功率激光器的实验中，会产生强烈的二次辐射源。此类实验探索等离子体环境中的异构体群体或去激发。具有高电荷的激光加速粒子束还促进高能核激发，从而在非常短的时间尺度内高效生产具有更高异构态（达到 MeV 能级）的核异构体。异构态群体是表征激光驱动二次辐射源的灵敏诊断方法。