Precise measurement of alpha_K and alpha_T for the 150.8-keV E3 transition in 111Cd: Test of internal-conversion theory

TL;DR

This study precisely measured the internal conversion coefficients for a specific nuclear transition in 111Cd, testing theoretical calculations and revealing agreement for alpha_K but discrepancies for alpha_T, thus challenging current models.

Contribution

It provides the most precise measurements of alpha_K and alpha_T for the 150.8-keV E3 transition in 111Cd, testing and challenging existing internal-conversion theories.

Findings

Alpha_K agrees with Dirac-Fock calculations including atomic vacancy effects.

Alpha_T disagrees with theoretical predictions by about two standard deviations.

Extends precision tests of alpha_K to lower atomic number Z=48.

Abstract

We have measured the K-shell and total internal conversion coefficients, alpha_K and alpha_T, for the 150.8-keV E3 transition in 111Cd to be 1.449(18) and 2.217(26) respectively. The alpha_K result agrees well with Dirac-Fock calculations in which the effect of the K-shell atomic vacancy is accounted for; it extends our precision tests of alpha_K calculations to Z = 48, the lowest Z yet measured. However, the result for alpha_T disagrees by about two standard deviations from the calculated alpha_T value, whether or not the atomic vacancy is included.