Electron capture in fully ionised nuclei

[Garlic]

Hello everyone,
What happens if an isotope that normally decays through EC has no electrons at all? For example how does ⁷Be⁴⁺ decay?

 

[mfb]

If beta+ decay is not possible and there are no electrons around, the isotope becomes stable.

 

[Vanadium 50]

Positron emission is energetically blocked for Be-7, so it becomes stable.

Most heavier nuclei will have the positron emission channel open up.