Hidden magnetism inside atoms may explain mysterious gamma rays
For decades, scientists have puzzled over why certain atomic nuclei unexpectedly produce large numbers of low-energy gamma rays. A new experiment traced the effect to magnetic changes inside the nucleus, where protons and neutrons effectively flip their tiny internal magnets. The discovery could sharpen models of everything from nuclear reactions on Earth to the creation of heavy elements in…
For years, nuclear physicists have puzzled over a phenomenon called low-energy enhancement: why do some atomic nuclei emit more low-energy gamma rays than expected? A new study led by the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) has provided strong evidence that magnetic transitions within the nucleus are responsible.
The research, published in Nature, could have wide-ranging implications for astrophysics, nuclear energy, national security, and nuclear forensics. By separating an electric from a magnetic decay state in a radioactive copper isotope, the team observed that only the magnetic transition produced the unexplained gamma rays. This discovery suggests a magnetic nature to the mysterious effect, potentially improving nuclear models and enhancing our understanding of stellar processes, nuclear energy, and nuclear security.
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