Atomic excitations during the nuclear {\ss}- decay in light atoms

TL;DR

This paper calculates the probabilities of atomic final states during nuclear beta decay in light atoms using precise wave functions, discusses experimental detection of negative ions formed, and considers high-order correction effects.

Contribution

It introduces a numerical method using accurate atomic wave functions to determine final state probabilities in beta decay of light atoms, including corrections and experimental implications.

Findings

Final state probabilities are numerically evaluated for light atoms.

Potential observation of negatively charged ions during decay is discussed.

High order corrections to decay processes are analyzed.

Abstract

Probabilities of various final states are determined numerically for a number of {\ss}- decaying light atoms. In our evaluations of the final state probabilities we have used the highly accurate atomic wave functions constructed for each few-electron atom/ion. We also discuss an experimental possibility to observe negatively charged ions which form during the nuclear {\ss}+ decays. High order corrections to the results obtained for {\ss}+/- decays in few-electron atoms with the use of sudden approximation are considered.