Abstract
IT is known that γ-rays accompanying α-disintegration are due to the fact that an α-particle can escape from the nucleus with energy less than corresponds to the fundamental level, leaving the resultant nucleus in an excited state1. The relative intensities of these ‘fine-structure’ groups are given by the transparency of the potential barrier for corresponding energies E(αn): where j is the azimuthal quantum number of the escaping a -particle. These intensities must rapidly decrease with energy and will be still further reduced in cases when j is not zero in the excited states ; it can be calculated from (1) that this reduction will be respectively 1–3, 4, 16 and 105 times for j = l, 2, 3, 4. Thus we come to the conclusion that, in cases where, for normal decay, the a -particle has j = 0, the slow groups of fine-structure will be very weak.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Gamow, NATURE, 126, 397, Sept. 13, 1930.
Gamow, NATURE, 129, 470, March 26, 1932.
Rosenblum, "Str. fine des rayons alpha". Paris, 1932.
Gamow, NATURE, 131, 433, March 25, 1933.
Gamow, NATURE, 131, 57, Jan. 14, 1933.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
GAMOW, G. Fundamental State of Nuclear α-Particles. Nature 131, 618–619 (1933). https://doi.org/10.1038/131618b0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/131618b0
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.