Timescale of non-exponential decay for the nuclear β-decay process in a decoherence model

A. Ray and A. K. Sikdar
Phys. Rev. C 94, 055503 – Published 30 November 2016

Abstract

The quantum-mechanical time evolution of an isolated β-unstable nuclear state in the context of certain models predicts that the square of the amplitude of the initial undecayed state becomes an approximately exponential function of time on a timescale on the order of 10221021s. It was argued that a measurement process required to distinguish between the parent and the daughter nuclear states in such a short time would destroy the characteristics of the long-lived β-unstable nuclear state, thus fundamentally restricting the observability of β decay on a short timescale. Since the interaction of the nuclear state with the environment is almost inevitable, we have obtained the timescale of initial non-exponential decay for the nuclear β decay from an estimation of quantum decoherence time considering the atom of the decaying nucleus as a quantum detector. It has been found from such considerations that a decoherence timescale of β decay is on the order of 10161015s and the decay should remain reversible and non-exponential on this timescale. The possibilities of observing the effect of non-exponential decay in nuclear systems have been discussed.

  • Received 10 June 2016
  • Revised 5 October 2016

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.94.055503

©2016 American Physical Society

Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

Nuclear Physics

Authors & Affiliations

A. Ray* and A. K. Sikdar

  • Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre, HBNI, 1/AF Bidhannagar, Kolkata-700064, India

  • *ray@vecc.gov.in; amlanray2016@gmail.com

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Issue

Vol. 94, Iss. 5 — November 2016

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