The authors of the article entitled "Novel Approach to 93m Mo Isomer Depletion: Nuclear Excitation by Electron Capture in Resonant Transfer Process" are Prof. Marek Polasik, Prof. Katarzyna Słabkowska, and Dr. Łukasz Syrocki from the Faculty of Chemistry, Prof. James "Jeff" Carroll and Prof. Christopher Chiara from the DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory as well as Prof. Jacek Rzadkiewicz from the National Centre for Nuclear Research in Swierk.
In 2018, an international research team contributed by the three scientists from the Nicolaus Copernicus University and the National Centre for Nuclear Research reported the first direct observation of the forced release of energy from 93m Mo isomer resulting from heavy ions interaction with the target atoms. Energy release was attributed to the nuclear excitation by electron capture (NEEC). Moreover, the experiment performed in the USA (Argonne National Laboratory, ANL) with the use of a heavy-ion linear accelerator, ATLAS, showed a surprisingly high probability of occurrence of the NEEC process (PNEEC ≈ 0,01).
In August 2021, the scientists from Toruń in cooperation with nuclear physicists from the USA and Australia are planning to perform an experiment with the use of the most powerful spectrometer, Gammasphere (ANL).
- We are going to verify our theoretical predictions with the experimental measurements on the spot. During the experiment, we will make an attempt to observe the forced energy release from 127m Cs isomer, explains dr Łukasz Syrocki.- This time, the task seems a bit more difficult than in the case of 93m Mo isomer because the 127m Cs isomer half-life time is as short as T 1/2 = 55 µs (T 1/2 = 6.85 h for 93m Mo isomer). A relatively short life of 127m Cs isomer implies the necessity to plan and carry out the experiment accurately as well as to apply advanced coincidence analyses between corresponding gamma transitions powering the isomer and those indicating its forced decay.
The studies are particularly important not only form the fundamental research viewpoint (e.g. high-spin nuclear structure theory). They can also constitute the starting point for various applications of an advanced technological character, for example unconventional and ultra-efficient nuclear batteries. Such applications can be employed to develop methods of powering vehicles and vessels used in hardly accessible places on Earth such as ocean bottoms, volcanic craters, and space.
Physical Review Letters
Meta-analysis
Not applicable
Novel Approach to 93 m Mo Isomer Depletion: Nuclear Excitation by Electron Capture in Resonant Transfer Process
21-Jul-2021