Electromagnetic-radiation effects on alpha decay

TL;DR

This paper investigates how electromagnetic radiation influences alpha decay in heavy nuclei, finding small rate enhancements due to second-order effects and electronic screening, relevant for laser field interactions.

Contribution

It introduces a model estimating electromagnetic effects on alpha decay, highlighting the role of electronic screening and second-order corrections in laser fields.

Findings

Electromagnetic radiation causes slight increases in decay rates.

Electronic cloud screens the nucleus, reducing field effects.

Second-order corrections introduce anisotropy in decay rates.

Abstract

The effect of the electromagnetic radiation on the spontaneous charge emission from heavy atomic nuclei is estimated in a model which may be relevant for proton emission and alpha-particle decay in laser fields. Arguments are given that the electronic cloud in heavy atoms screens appreciably the electric field acting on the nucleus and the nucleus "sees" rather low fields. In these conditions, it is shown that the electromagnetic radiation brings second-order corrections in the electric field to the disintegration rate, with a slight anisotropy. These corrections give a small enhancement of the disintegration rate. The case of a static electric field is also discussed.