Cavity modifications of nuclear internal conversion rates – abstract

Richard W. Ziolkowski, Daniel M. Gogny

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

We extend the principles of cavity quantum electrodynamics to nuclei inside low-loss cavities. The resulting nucleus-cavity system exhibits spontaneous emission and internal conversion rates which differ radically from those of the individual components. The quantum mechanical derivations of these rates are given. The internal conversion process occurs via the exchange of a virtual photon between an excited nucleus and an electron bound to that nucleus. Even though the photon is virtual, partial suppression of the internal conversion process is shown to be theoretically possible. With a controlled modification of the internal conversion rate using a high- Q cavity, one can achieve a number of potentially interesting applications including an excited nuclear state containment unit, a nuclear battery, and a neutron detector.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)675-676
Number of pages2
JournalJournal of Electromagnetic Waves and Applications
Volume12
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - 1998

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • General Physics and Astronomy
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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