THE Pb X-RAYS THAT ACCOMPANY Po$sup 210$ DECAY: MEASUREMENT OF THE M PHOTON YIELD, AND THEORY
The probability that a Pb M photon is emitted in the alpha decay of a Po/ sup 210/ atom is 0.91 ( plus or minus 15%) x 10 /sup 3/ photons per alpha, as measured by means of a proportional counter and pulse-height analyzer. This value is in gross disagreement with theoretical estimates. A Pb M spectrum from Po/sup 210/ decay shows definite differences from a conventional spectrum, indicating extensive ejection of the outermost electrons in the decay act. In particular, the spectrum from Po/210/ contains a 3.7 kev line, whose intensity is about 4% of the total spectral intensity, and whose energy is consistent with the allowed, but hitherto unreported, transition M/sub I/O/sub II,III/. The theory of electron ejection in alpha decay is reworked and the results are compared with the measured values of K, J, and M ejections in Po/sup 210/ decay. It is concluded that: 1) the apparent agreement between the measured probability of K ejection and the theoretical calculations of Migdal and of Schaefer is fortuitous, and that for K, as well as L and M ejections, there is an order-of- magnitude discrepancy between theory and experiment; 2) the failure of the theory can be ascribed in large part to an unjustifiable use of hydrogenic wave functions. (28 references.) (auth)
- Research Organization:
- Brookhaven National Lab., Upton, N.Y.
- DOE Contract Number:
- AT(30-2)-GEN-16
- NSA Number:
- NSA-17-011616
- OSTI ID:
- 4699213
- Report Number(s):
- BNL-6166
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Orig. Receipt Date: 31-DEC-63
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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