What Are the Final Electronic and Ionic States of 72Ga After Decay to 72Ge?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the final electronic and ionic states of the isotope ##^{72}##Ge following the decay of ##^{72}##Ga via electron emission. Participants explore the implications of this decay on the resulting electronic state, potential ionization, and the effects of subsequent gamma emissions, considering both theoretical and experimental perspectives.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that the emitted electron escapes, resulting in the ##^{72}##Ge atom being an ion.
  • Others suggest that the decay can lead to multiple ionic states due to the emission of gamma rays, which may further ionize the ##^{72}##Ge ion.
  • One participant asserts that while the final state of ##^{72}##Ge is likely the ground state, the immediate state post-decay can vary significantly due to the high energy injected into the system, making it difficult to predict which electron may be knocked out.
  • A later reply discusses the predictability of decay outcomes, referencing probabilities for various decay events and the challenges in predicting which electron is affected during ionization.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the final electronic state of ##^{72}##Ge and the likelihood of multiple ionic states, indicating that the discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing perspectives.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations regarding the assumptions made about ionization processes and the dependence on specific decay events, which remain unresolved in the discussion.

Malamala
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Hello! I see that ##^{72}##Ga decays exclusively to ##^{72}##Ge by electron emission. I couldn't find however any paper describing the final electronic state of the ##^{72}##Ge atom. I assume that the electron emitted just escapes, and the resulting ##^{72}##Ge atom is actually an ion? Also the decay to ##^{72}##Ge can happen to many levels, followed by the emission of gamma rays. Are these rays further ionizing the ##^{72}##Ge ion thus the final state of ##^{72}##Ge can have multiple ionic states? Thank you!
 
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Malamala said:
and the resulting ##^{72}##Ge atom is actually an ion?
That's the most likely outcome, yes.
Are these rays further ionizing the ##^{72}##Ge ion thus the final state of ##^{72}##Ge can have multiple ionic states?
That is possible, although it's probably less likely.
 
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The FINAL state is surely the ground state. But the IMMEDIATE state can be lots of things - you've just injected many, many times the ionization energy into the system. It's easy to knock out an electron, and impossible to predict which one.

Sooner or later it will neutralize and de-excite.
 
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mfb said:
That's the most likely outcome, yes.
By a large but predictable margin:
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...usg=AOvVaw2VgWw79cEHL4eNv321aFXx&opi=89978449
The prediction from back in 1961 is that for neutron (decay energy 782 keV), the probability of decaying into a bound protium atom is 4,2*10-6, of which 80% is into ground state of hydrogen and 20% into all excited states. For tritium atom (decay energy 18 keV), the probability of decaying into a bound He-3 atom is 6,9*10-3 (0,69%), of which 78% is into ground state and 22% into excited states.
mfb said:
That is possible, although it's probably less likely.
Vanadium 50 said:
It's easy to knock out an electron, and impossible to predict which one.
For any specific decay event.
Is it possible to predict the absorption/excitation spectrum of an atom for its own decay radiation, whether gamma, beta (easier?) or alpha or fission?
 

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