On the nuclear $(n;t)-$reaction in the three-electron ${}^{6}$Li atom

TL;DR

This paper investigates the nuclear $(n;t)$-reaction in three-electron ${}^{6}$Li atoms, developing methods to compute atomic probabilities, analyzing the formation of various atomic states, and studying bremsstrahlung radiation emitted during the process.

Contribution

It introduces a new effective computational method for atomic probabilities in the nuclear reaction of lithium, including variational expansions for wave functions and analysis of emitted radiation.

Findings

Final ${}^4$He can be created in triplet states.

Formation of quasi-stable three-electron systems is possible.

Bremsstrahlung spectrum from accelerated electrons is characterized.

Abstract

The nuclear $(n;t)-$reaction of the three-electron ${}^{6}$Li atom with thermal/slow neutrons is considered. An effective method has been developed for determining the probabilities of formation of various atoms and ions in different bound states. We discuss a number of fundamental questions directly related to numerical computations of the final state atomic probabilities. A few appropriate variational expansions for atomic wave functions of the incident lithium atom and final helium atom and/or tritium negatively charged ion are discussed. It appears that the final ${}^4$He atom arising during the nuclear $(n,{}^{6}$Li; ${}^4$He$,t)$-reaction in the three-electron Li atom can also be created in its triplet states. The formation of the quasi-stable three-electron $e^{-}_3$ during the nuclear $(n; t)-$reaction at the Li atom is briefly discussed. Bremsstrahlung emitted by atomic electrons accelerated by the rapidly moving nuclear fragments from this reaction is analyzed. The frequency spectrum of the emitted radiation is investigated.