Induced decay of a long-lived nuclear isomerHf178m2in a laser thermonuclear plasma

Abstract

Fast induced decay of the long-lived nuclear isomer $^{178}\mathrm{Hf}$${}^{m2}$ via an intermediate state is shown to be possible in a deuterium-tritium laser thermonuclear plasma as a result of inelastic scattering of $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ particles and fast electrons on isomeric nuclei. A similar phenomenon also takes place in deuterium-deuterium plasma, where the intermediate state is exited by protons, thermal electrons, and photons.