Non-exponential and oscillatory decays in quantum mechanics
- Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
- Florida State Univ., Tallahassee, FL (United States)
- Michigan State Univ., East Lansing, MI (United States)
The quantum-mechanical theory of the decay of unstable states is revisited. We show that the decay is non-exponential both in the short-time and long-time limits using a more physical definition of the decay rate than the one usually used. We report results of numerical studies based on Winter's model that may elucidate qualitative features of exponential and non-exponential decay more generally. The main exponential stage is related to the formation of a radiating state that maintains the shape of its wave function with exponentially diminishing normalization. We discuss situations where the radioactive decay displays several exponents. The transient stages between different regimes are typically accompanied by interference of various contributions and resulting oscillations in the decay curve. The decay curve can be fully oscillatory in a two-flavor generalization of Winter's model with some values of the parameters. We consider the implications of that result for models of the oscillations reported by GSI.
- Research Organization:
- Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Science (SC), Nuclear Physics (NP); National Science Foundation (NSF)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC02-06CH11357
- OSTI ID:
- 1343442
- Journal Information:
- Europhysics Letters, Vol. 107, Issue 4; ISSN 0295-5075
- Publisher:
- IOP Publishing
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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