On Resonance for Nuclear Excitation by Atomic Electron Transitions during Collisions of Atoms in a Plasma

Abstract

The probability P_NEET of excitation in the plasma of nuclei of multiply charged ions due to transitions in their electronic shells is considered, when the energy difference between nuclear and electronic transitions ΔE_NEET becomes small due to the deformation of the electron shells of ions during their collisions. It is shown that such a resonance is possible only in a two-component plasma containing, along with multiply charged ions, singly charged ions. For ΔE_NEET up to ~100 eV, the occurrence of resonance can increase the probability P_NEET by several orders of magnitude. It is noted that in plasma there is also the possibility of resonant conversion of the excitation of nuclei into the excitation of their electron shells.