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The Electrostatic Interaction and Low Energy Particles in Alpha-Radioactivity
Phys. Rev. 75, 90 – Published 1 January, 1949
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRev.75.90
Abstract
In -decay, after the particle has been emitted, the asymmetrical electric field of the residual nucleus can cause the -particle to alter its total energy in conjunction with a change in the state of the nucleus. Since the ability of a particle to penetrate the potential barrier increases rapidly with its energy, the number of particles of each possible energy finally escaping will not be in accord with the decay constants predicted by the Geiger-Nuttall law.
It is found that the effect is not important (a quantitative estimate is given), except in the case where the difference between the energies of the two states is less than about 500 kev.
The investigation allows a theoretical study of the experiments in which W. Y. Chang found anomalous fine structure in the -spectra of Po and Ra. It is found that very improbable assumptions are required to reconcile these experimental results with the theory presented here, and we have been unable to see how any additional effects connected with the nucleus could alter this conclusion.
References (7)
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