Laser excitation of Th-229 nucleus

Big discussion from another URL <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;news.ycombinator.com&#x2F;item?id=40194636">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;news.ycombinator.com&#x2F;item?id=40194636</a> (405 points | 18 hours ago | 177 comments)

“New findings suggest classical quantum physics and nuclear physics can be combined”<p>Seems like the bigger part of the title

what does it mean for a nucleus to be in a higher energy state? is there any macro phenomenon that is related to it? when it drops back down, it gives off a gamma ray or something?

HTTP 404 now, but it&#x27;s still linked from the site&#x27;s &quot;Physics&quot; category page, so it&#x27;s not a typo...