Effect of electron screening on the $\alpha$ decay

TL;DR

This paper investigates how the electron shell influences alpha decay rates, showing a negative effect, with numerical calculations indicating significant impact in helium-like ions and potential for experimental detection.

Contribution

It provides a detailed analysis of electron shell effects on alpha decay, including numerical calculations and discussion of experimental prospects.

Findings

Electron shells negatively affect alpha decay rates.

In helium-like ions, the effect accounts for over 80% of the total.

Experimental detection prospects are discussed for storage rings.

Abstract

The physical principles that determine the effect of the electron shell of an atom on the alpha decay rate of the nucleus are presented. The effect is shown to be negative. Numerical calculations of the effect in helium-like ions are performed. It accounts for more than 80% of the effect in neutral atoms. The prospects for experimental detection of the effect in the storage rings of the GSI Darmstadt, ISF Lanzhou are discussed.