Theory of Bound-State Beta Decay
Abstract
The theory of beta-decay processes in which an electron is created in a bound atomic state is developed in the allowed approximation. The correlations and total decay rate are calculated with the renormalized V-A theory and the results are valid for atoms of arbitrary electronic configuration. The relative probability of bound-state to continuum-state decay is shown to be independent of nuclear matrix elements; some bound-state decay rates are presented that were calculated by making use of this fact. The possibility of experimentally detecting bound-state decay is also briefly examined. The beta decay of nuclei in stellar interiors is discussed and a number of examples are presented for which bound-state decay is more likely than continuum-state decay under the conditions that obtain in stellar interiors.
- Publication:
-
Physical Review
- Pub Date:
- October 1961
- DOI:
- 10.1103/PhysRev.124.495
- Bibcode:
- 1961PhRv..124..495B