Use of L and M Shell Electrons to Trigger Nuclear Spin Isomers
Abstract
Populations of nuclear spin isomers of 178Hfm2 can be triggered to release their stored energies by the absorption of x-rays having energies in the range 9-13 keV. We have found the basic absorption spectrum for triggering to be approximately 0.16% of the cross section for photoionization of the L-shell electrons surrounding the isomeric nuclei. The maximum effect is induced by X-rays with energies exceeding the threshold for the photoionization of L3 electrons by amounts less than 10 eV. Absorption of a photon of that energy, around 9567 eV triggers the release of 2.446 MeV, thus producing a gain of radiative energy of 256 times for each event. Confidence in the observations of such triggering is better than 10 followed by 1823 zeros to 1.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 19, 2007
- Accession Number
- ADA474483
Entities
People
- Carl B. Collins
Organizations
- University of Texas at Dallas