Geiger-Nuttall Law for Nuclei in Strong Electromagnetic Fields

Area of Science:

• Nuclear Physics
• Quantum Electrodynamics

Background:

• Alpha decay is a fundamental nuclear process.
• The influence of external electromagnetic fields on nuclear processes is an area of active research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of strong laser electromagnetic fields on alpha-decay rates.
• To analyze how laser parameters affect nuclear potential barriers and decay probabilities.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing the Hennenberger frame of reference for theoretical calculations.
• Introducing and analyzing an adimensional parameter D = S0/R0, where S0 depends on laser intensity (I) and frequency (ω), and R0 is the nuclear radius.

Main Results:

• A significant increase in barrier penetrability was observed for intensities where D > 1.
• The Coulomb potential becomes anisotropic, boosting penetrability by up to 6 orders of magnitude.
• Deformed nuclei showed an additional order of magnitude increase in penetrability.

Conclusions:

• Strong laser fields can dramatically alter alpha-decay rates.
• The findings can be incorporated into a modified Geiger-Nuttal law, accounting for field effects and nuclear deformation.