What's Happening?
A team of physicists from the Institute of Modern Physics (IMP) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has discovered the primary mechanism responsible for energy release in the nuclear isomer molybdenum-93m (Mo-93m). Through high-precision experiments, the researchers
determined that inelastic nuclear scattering, rather than the previously hypothesized nuclear excitation by electron capture (NEEC), is the main driver of isomer depletion. This finding, published in Physical Review Letters, provides crucial experimental evidence for a long-debated process and offers new insights into the controlled release of nuclear energy. The study involved preparing a purified, high-energy beam of Mo-93m ions and measuring their depletion probability using a low-background, high-sensitivity experimental method. The results showed a higher consistency with theoretical calculations for inelastic nuclear scattering compared to NEEC.
Why It's Important?
The discovery of the dominant mechanism in Mo-93m's energy release is significant for several reasons. Nuclear isomers like Mo-93m have the potential for high-energy-density storage, which could be applied in nuclear batteries, gamma-ray lasers, and ultra-precise nuclear clocks. Understanding the correct mechanism for energy release is crucial for developing practical applications. The findings challenge previous assumptions about NEEC's role and suggest that future research should focus on optimizing environments to observe NEEC, such as plasma or electron-ion beam collisions. This research not only advances the understanding of nuclear isomers but also impacts fields like plasma physics, astrophysics, and inertial confinement fusion.
What's Next?
Future research will likely explore optimized environments to observe NEEC, as it remains a promising method for triggering energy release from nuclear isomers. Researchers may focus on plasma or electron-ion beam collisions to better understand and utilize NEEC. The study's findings also provide a foundation for further investigations into the behavior of nuclear isomers in various environments, potentially leading to new technological advancements in energy storage and release.
