Anomalous K/L Ratio of the Conversion Electrons from (p, 2n) Reactions

Abstract

This chapter describes the anomalous K/L ratio of the conversion electrons from (p, 2n) reactions. Spectra of conversion electrons from (p, 2n) reactions on various vibrational and transitional nuclei were measured recently. The ratio of κ line to L line was measured with accuracy for a number of transitions. A decreasing trend with increasing target spin value is noticed for the 1 4→ 1 2 transition. Because the spectra are taken for the conversion electrons emitted backward with respect to the incident proton beam, the observed anomaly might be attributed partly to the difference of angular distribution between κ and L conversion electrons. The measurements of angular distribution of κ and L conversion electrons and K/L values can provide information about spin values of the states involved in the transitions and about momentum change in formation and decay of compound nucleus. The conversion electrons are probably affected by the rearrangement of external electron orbits in the nuclear reaction. If this was the case, the measurement of this value might open a new intermediate research field between the nuclear and the atomic physics.