Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 28, 2026

Preparing an Isotopically Pure 229Th Ion Beam for Studies of 229mTh
Published on: May 3, 2019
Precise test of internal-conversion theory: αK measurements for transitions in nine nuclei spanning 45 ≤ Z ≤ 78
Abstract:
We have been testing the theory used to calculate internal-conversion coefficients (ICCs) by making a series of measurements of αK values with precision better than ±2%. So far we have measured E3 transitions in three nuclei, 103Rh, 111Cd and 134Cs; and M4 transitions in six nuclei, 119Sn, 125Te, 127Te, 137Ba, 193Ir and 197Pt. Together, these span a wide range of A and Z values. In all cases, the results strongly favor Dirac-Fock calculations in which the final-state electron wave function has been computed in an atomic field that includes the vacancy created by the internal-conversion process.
Related Concept Videos
Nuclear Transmutation
Atomic Nuclei: Nuclear Spin State Population Distribution
Other Nuclides: 31P, 19F, 15N NMR
While fluorine-19 and phosphorous-31 have high natural abundances (100%) and positive gyromagnetic ratios, nitrogen-15 has a low natural abundance and a negative gyromagnetic ratio. However, nitrogen-15 is still preferred over nitrogen-14 (which has a...
Atomic Radii and Effective Nuclear Charge
Atomic Nuclei: Nuclear Relaxation Processes
Atomic Nuclei: Magnetic Resonance

