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Energy traps in atomic nuclei

Nature volume 399, pages 35–40 (1999)Cite this article

Abstract

A small proportion of atomic nuclei can form highly excited metastable states, or isomers. Of particular interest is a class of isomers found in deformed axially symmetric nuclei; these isomers are among the longest-lived and have the potential to reach the highest energies. By probing their properties, insights into nuclear structure have been gained. The possibility of stimulated isomer decay may ultimately lead to new forms of energy storage and γ-ray lasers.

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Figure 1: Excitation energy as a function of various nuclear variables.
Figure 2: Chart of atomic nucleic, as a function of neutron number (N ) and proton number (Z ).
Figure 3: Some of the possible results of a beam (projectile) nucleus colliding with a target nucleus.
Figure 4: Illustration of the nuclear velocity fields for a deformed, rotating nucleus.
Figure 5: Reduced hindrance as a function of isomer excitation energy, relative to a rotor with the same angular momentum, for selected K -f.
Figure 6: Excitation energy of even-mass hafnium isomers relative to a rotor as a function of neutron number.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics, University of Surrey, Guildford, GU25XH, UK

    Philip Walker

  2. Department of Nuclear Physics, Research School of Physical Sciences and Engineering, Australian National University, ACT 0200, Canberra, Australia

    George Dracoulis

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Correspondence to Philip Walker.

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Walker, P., Dracoulis, G. Energy traps in atomic nuclei. Nature 399, 35–40 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1038/19911

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