Prospects for study of the effect of the electronic screening on the $\alpha$ decay in the storage rings

TL;DR

This paper investigates how electron screening affects alpha decay rates in heavy ions within storage rings, predicting a measurable slowdown that differs from traditional models, and proposes experimental testing to enhance astrophysical research.

Contribution

It provides the first systematic adiabatic calculation of electron screening effects on alpha decay in heavy ions, highlighting a significant difference from the frozen shell model and proposing experimental validation.

Findings

Electron screening slows alpha decay by about 1%.

The effect's sign opposes the frozen shell model prediction.

Experimental testing in storage rings is feasible and valuable.

Abstract

Study of the role of the electron screening in the $\alpha$ decay is advanced, aimed at the experimental test in the storage rings. To this end, systematic calculation of the effect in heavy ions of the nuclei within the Ra to Po domain of the $\alpha$ emitters is conducted within the adiabatic approach. The obtained effect is to slow down the decay by an amount within the percent value. It is of the opposite sign comparing to what is predicted within the conventional frozen shell model. The reason for this divergence is demonstrated. Testing this difference experimentally in storage ring facilities is proposed. It is of great interest for advancing the astrophysical fundamental research.