Half-life of radioactive isotopes near 0 K.

[DavidZuccaro]

Would the observed half-life of a sample of a radioactive isotope (eg. iodine 131) be different from the nominal half-life when it is cooled down to a temperature near absolute zero.

Have there been any experiments conducted to examine this question?

 

[Mark M]

Welcome to PF!

Temperature does not have any effect on radioactive half-life. Remember that temperature is the average atomic motion. Decay is mediated by the weak nuclear force, which has no relation to the movement of the particle.

 

[DavidZuccaro]

Fair enough.

So my follow up question is does the half-life of a particular isotope vary in accordance with any other physical property such as electric field - excepting weak nuclear force which you have mentioned.

 

[mfb]

Electric fields are not strong enough to have an impact - in addition, if the nucleus sees them, it just accelerates. And electric field gradients are even smaller, when applied to the size of a nucleus.

Three ways to influence nuclear transitions:
- Electron capture needs electrons, and depends on the presence of electrons nearby. There, you can alter the speed of the process.
- In a similar way, you could shoot a lot of neutrinos and stimulate proton<->neutron transformation. However, I do not think this would give a measurable effect.
- Pressure similar to the conditions in white dwarfs or neutron stars. This allows to get particles close enough to have a significant influence.