Convert Linewidth \Gamma of Nuclear Level to Seconds/Inverse Seconds

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the conversion of the nuclear level linewidth \(\Gamma\) into units of seconds or inverse seconds. Participants explore various methods and relationships involving energy, time, and constants relevant to nuclear physics, particularly in the context of the 57Fe isotope.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about the possibility of expressing the linewidth \(\Gamma\) in seconds or inverse seconds, providing specific values for 57Fe.
  • Another participant suggests using Planck's constant to facilitate the conversion.
  • A different approach is proposed involving the conversion factors between MeV and femtometers, leading to a calculation for neV.
  • One participant references a relationship involving \(\Gamma\) and the Larmor precession frequency, questioning if their interpretation of the units is correct.
  • Another participant notes a correlation between the energy uncertainty and the mean lifetime, suggesting this might provide insight into the conversion process.
  • A participant expresses confusion regarding the conversion of \(\Gamma\) to seconds or inverse seconds, despite having calculated values related to the uncertainty principle.
  • One participant explains the relationship between decay time and natural energy linewidth broadening, referencing Fourier transforms and energy-frequency relationships.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the method for converting \(\Gamma\) to seconds or inverse seconds, with multiple approaches and interpretations presented. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the conversion process.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention various constants and relationships, but there are limitations in the assumptions made and the definitions used, which may affect the conversion process. Some calculations depend on specific values and interpretations that have not been universally agreed upon.

Rajini
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Hello all,

is there any possibility to express line width [tex]\Gamma[/tex] of the nuclear level in second (s) or inverse second ?
For eg. for 57Fe,
[tex]\Gamma=4.6413[/tex] neV = 0.09654 mm/s for the 1st excited level of 57Fe.
I want to how one can convert to second or inverse second.
PS: some conversion factors that i know are: 1 mm/s = 48.075 neV and 1 eV = 8065.5 cm-1
thanks
 
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Use Planck's constant

h/2π = 6.582118 x 10-16 eV-seconds

Bob S
 
I use the two factors: 1=197.32 MeV-fm
and 1=2.9979...X10^23 fm/sec.

They give 1 MeV=197.32/( 2.9979 X 10^23) /sec.
divide by 10^15 to get it in neV.
 
Last edited:
hello,
i think i have not supplied some information.
In a book i found the following relation:
[tex]\Gamma/\omega_N<1[/tex]. Here [tex]\Gamma[/tex] is nuclear line width and [tex]\omega_N[/tex] is Larmor precession frequency.
But i prefer to write as [tex]\tau_N<(1/\Gamma)[/tex]---is this correct?[[tex]\tau_N=(\omega_N)^{-1}[/tex]]
What i understand is the unit of [tex]\tau_N[/tex] (obviously unit is s) and [tex]\Gamma[/tex] should be same. Also [tex]\Gamma[/tex] can take unit as mm/s, eV, etc and [tex]\omega_N[/tex] may be in Hz i guess. But we also know that inverse of [tex]\omega_N[/tex] has a unit in second.
But the gamma value is fixed Mössbauer related constant. For 57Fe and usually given in eV or neV or mm/s. and mean lifetime is 141 ns.
thanks again
 
Hi-
In your original post, you state that the energy uncertainty is 4.6413 x 10-9 ev, and in the above post that the mean lifetime is 141 x 10-9 seconds. The product is 6.544 x 10-16 eV-seconds, very close to the value for the value of Plancks constant (h/2π) = 6.582118 x 10-16 eV-seconds, given in post #1. This is a hint.

Bob S

[Added] See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pound–Rebka_experiment

δE/E = 4.64 x 10-9 eV / 14 KeV = 3.3 x 10-13

δv/c = 0.09564 mm per sec / 3 x 1011 mm per sec = 3.2 x 10-13

So δE/E = δv/c
 
Last edited:
Hello Bob,
I really don't get any clue for conversion (it not a home work problem).
As we know that:
[tex] \tau\;\Gamma\geq\hbar.[/tex]
Here [tex]\tau=141.8169[/tex] ns and [tex]\hbar=6.58211899\times10^{-16}[/tex] eVs.
So using the above formula i get
[tex]\Gamma=4.6413[/tex] neV.
I really do not get any hint for conversion of the unit of [tex]\Gamma[/tex] to s-1 or s.
thanks for your help
 
Rajini-
The relationship between the decay time and the natural energy linewidth broadening arises from the Fourier transform from time domain to frequency domain (hence photon energy since E=hω/2π). See the section titled

"The Lorentzian function is a model of homogeneous broadening"

in

http://chsfpc5.chem.ncsu.edu/~franzen/CH795Z/ps/2002/lecture/lecture26/lineshape/lineshape.html

Bob S
 
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