Accelerated alpha-decay of 232U isotope achieved by exposure of its aqueous solution with gold nanoparticles to laser radiation

TL;DR

This study demonstrates that laser exposure of gold nanoparticles in aqueous uranium-232 solutions can significantly accelerate alpha-decay, with activity reduction depending on laser intensity and involving electric field amplification effects.

Contribution

It presents experimental evidence of laser-induced accelerated alpha-decay of Uranium-232 using gold nanoparticles in aqueous solutions, a novel approach to influencing nuclear decay rates.

Findings

Alpha-activity decreases with increasing laser intensity.

Gamma-activities of daughter nuclides deviate from equilibrium.

Maximum effect observed at several terawatts per square centimeter.

Abstract

Experimental results are presented on laser-induced accelerated alpha-decay of Uranium-232 nuclei under laser exposure of Au nanoparticles in aqueous solutions of its salt. It is demonstrated that the decrease of alpha-activity strongly depends on the peak intensity of the laser radiation in the liquid and is highest at several terawatt per square centimeter. The decrease of alpha-activity of the exposed solutions is accompanied by the deviation of gamma-activities of daughter nuclides of Uranium-232 from their equilibrium values. Possible mechanisms of the laser influence on the alpha-activity are discussed on the basis of the amplification of the electric field of laser wave on metallic nanoparticles.