Nuclear Structure: Hindrance Factor Explained

[rgshankar76]

What is hindrance factor?
What does it indicate? If the Hindrance is very high? If its low?

For eg. 103Rh (39.76 keV) E3 transition has got hindrance factor of ~400.
What does this mean.

The Hindrance is calculated using

Theoretical Lambda(E3) / Exptl. Lambda (E3)
Lambda(E3) -- > E3 Transition probablity.

Theoretical value obtained frm the single particle estimates.
Weisskopf or Moszowski single particle estimates.
for E3 : 34(A^2) (E^7)

exptl : 0.693 / [(t1/2) (1+Total ICC)]
Total ICC - total conversion coefficient

 

[Astronuc]

I have seen 'hindrance factors' in reference to alpha-decay, but not gamma decay, but perhaps the idea is the same.

See - http://www.phys.jyu.fi/research/gamma/publications/ptgthesis/node26.html

 

[sir-pinski]

The Hindrance factor is a measure of the hindering effect on the decay of a nuclear state due to the presence of other particles within the nucleus. It is a dimensionless quantity that is calculated by comparing the theoretical transition probability of a specific decay mode to the experimental transition probability.

A high hindrance factor indicates that the decay is strongly hindered and the transition is less likely to occur. This could be due to the presence of other particles in the nucleus that interfere with the decay process. On the other hand, a low hindrance factor indicates that the decay is less hindered and the transition is more likely to occur.

In the example provided, the E3 transition in 103Rh has a hindrance factor of ~400. This means that the transition is highly hindered and has a low probability of occurring. The hindrance factor of 400 is significantly higher than 1, which is the expected value for a non-hindered decay. This suggests that there are other particles present in the nucleus that are strongly interfering with the decay process.

Overall, the hindrance factor provides important information about the structure and dynamics of the nucleus and can help in understanding the decay processes and nuclear properties.