Possible stimulation of nuclear alpha-decay by superfluid helium

TL;DR

This paper proposes that superfluid helium could enhance nuclear alpha-decay rates when an alpha-emitter moves at a specific velocity, potentially enabling experimental detection of stimulated decay processes.

Contribution

It introduces a novel hypothesis that superfluid helium can stimulate alpha-decay under certain conditions, a concept not previously explored.

Findings

Stimulated alpha-decay probability may be detectable.

Superfluid helium can influence nuclear decay processes.

Specific velocity conditions enable potential experimental observation.

Abstract

It is suggested that superfluid helium (condensate of 4-He atoms) may stimulate nuclear alpha-decay in a situation when an alpha-emitter moves through superfluid helium with fine-tuned velocity, so that the backward-emitted alpha-particle is at rest in the laboratory frame. It is shown that the probability of stimulated alpha-decay in this case may be sizable enough to be detected.