Abstract

The alignment of nuclear states resonantly formed in nuclear excitation by electron capture (NEEC) is studied by means of a density matrix technique. The vibrational excitations of the nucleus are described by a collective model and the electrons are treated in a relativistic framework. Formulas for the angular distribution of photons emitted in the nuclear relaxation are derived. We present numerical results for alignment parameters and photon angular distributions for a number of heavy elements in the case of E2 nuclear transitions. Our results are intended to help future experimental attempts to discern NEEC from radiative recombination, which is the dominant competing process.

Department(s)

Physics

Keywords and Phrases

Electromagnetic Waves; Electron Beams; Mathematical Models; Molecular Vibrations; Nuclear Energy; Parameter Estimation; Angular Distributions; Nuclear Excitation By Electron Capture (NEEC); Relativistic Framework; Photons

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

1050-2947

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Final Version

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2007 American Physical Society (APS), All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Jan 2007

Included in

Physics Commons

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