Cooperative internal conversion process

TL;DR

This paper introduces the cooperative internal conversion process, a new nuclear phenomenon involving electron and neutron transitions, with potential applications in nuclear waste management and energy production.

Contribution

It provides a theoretical framework and cross section calculations for the cooperative internal conversion process in nuclei and atoms.

Findings

Derived general expression for the process cross section.

Numerical investigation of the process in neon atoms.

Potential relevance to nuclear waste disposal and energy production.

Abstract

A new phenomenon, called cooperative internal conversion process, in which the coupling of bound-free electron and neutron transitions due to the dipole term of their Coulomb interaction permits cooperation of two nuclei leading to neutron exchange if it is allowed by energy conservation, is discussed theoretically. General expression of the cross section of the process is reported in one particle nuclear and spherical shell models as well in the case of free atoms (e.g. noble gases). A half-life characteristic of the process is also determined. The case of $Ne$ is investigated numerically. The process may have significance in fields of nuclear waste disposal and nuclear energy production.