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What is Theory of Internal Conversion – Definition

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Theory of internal conversion. In the quantum mechanical model of the electron, there is a finite probability of finding the electron within the nucleus. Radiation Dosimetry
Internal Conversion - ICE plus Auger
Internal conversion followed by Auger electron emission.

Theory of Internal Conversion

Internal conversion is an electromagnetic process, by which a nuclear excited state decays by the direct emission of one of its atomic electrons. Internal conversion competes with gamma emission, but in this case the electromagnetic multipole fields of the nucleus do not result in the emission of a gamma ray, instead, the fields interact directly with atomic electrons. In contrast to beta decay, which is governed by a weak force, the electron is emitted from the radioactive atom, but not from the nucleus. For this reason, internal conversion is possible whenever gamma decay is possible, except in the case where the atom is fully ionised.

In the quantum mechanical model of the electron, there is a finite probability of finding the electron within the nucleus. During the internal conversion process, the wavefunction of the K shell electron (inner shell electron) is said to penetrate the volume of the atomic nucleus. Note that, typical nuclear radii are of the order 10-14 m. In this case, the electron may couple to an excited nucleus and take the energy of the nuclear transition directly, without an intermediate gamma ray. Therefore, most internal conversion electrons (ICE) come from the K shell, as these electrons have the highest probability of being within the nucleus. However, the s states in the L, M, and N shells are also able to couple to the nuclear fields and cause ICE ejections from those shells.

The internal conversion electron (ICE) energy, is the transition energy, Etransition, minus the binding energy of the orbital electron, Eb.e., as:

For example, 203Hg is beta radioactive nuclide, which produces a continuous beta spectrum with maximum energy 214 keV. This decay produces an excited state of the daughter nucleus 203Tl, which then decays very quickly (~ 10-10 s) to its ground state emitting a gamma ray of energy 279.2 keV or an internal conversion electron. If we analyze a spectrum of beta particles, we can see the typical continuous spectrum of beta particles as well as narrow peaks at specific energies. These peaks are produced by internal conversion electrons (ICE). Since the binding energy of the K electrons in 203Tl amounts to 85.5 keV, the K line has an energy of:

Te (K) = 279.2 – 85.5 = 194 keV

Because of lesser binding energies, the L- and M-lines have higher energies. Since the internal conversion process can interact with any of the orbital electrons, the result is a spectrum of internal conversion electrons which will be seen as superimposed upon the electron energy spectrum of the beta emission. These relative intensities of these ICE peaks can give information about the electric multipole character of the nucleus and about the decay process.

Special reference: Kenneth S. Krane. Introductory Nuclear Physics, 3rd Edition, Wiley, 1987, ISBN 978-0471805533

Internal Conversion Electrons - spectrum

References:

Radiation Protection:

  1. Knoll, Glenn F., Radiation Detection and Measurement 4th Edition, Wiley, 8/2010. ISBN-13: 978-0470131480.
  2. Stabin, Michael G., Radiation Protection and Dosimetry: An Introduction to Health Physics, Springer, 10/2010. ISBN-13: 978-1441923912.
  3. Martin, James E., Physics for Radiation Protection 3rd Edition, Wiley-VCH, 4/2013. ISBN-13: 978-3527411764.
  4. U.S.NRC, NUCLEAR REACTOR CONCEPTS
  5. U.S. Department of Energy, Nuclear Physics and Reactor Theory. DOE Fundamentals Handbook, Volume 1 and 2. January 1993.

Nuclear and Reactor Physics:

  1. J. R. Lamarsh, Introduction to Nuclear Reactor Theory, 2nd ed., Addison-Wesley, Reading, MA (1983).
  2. J. R. Lamarsh, A. J. Baratta, Introduction to Nuclear Engineering, 3d ed., Prentice-Hall, 2001, ISBN: 0-201-82498-1.
  3. W. M. Stacey, Nuclear Reactor Physics, John Wiley & Sons, 2001, ISBN: 0- 471-39127-1.
  4. Glasstone, Sesonske. Nuclear Reactor Engineering: Reactor Systems Engineering, Springer; 4th edition, 1994, ISBN: 978-0412985317
  5. W.S.C. Williams. Nuclear and Particle Physics. Clarendon Press; 1 edition, 1991, ISBN: 978-0198520467
  6. G.R.Keepin. Physics of Nuclear Kinetics. Addison-Wesley Pub. Co; 1st edition, 1965
  7. Robert Reed Burn, Introduction to Nuclear Reactor Operation, 1988.
  8. U.S. Department of Energy, Nuclear Physics and Reactor Theory. DOE Fundamentals Handbook, Volume 1 and 2. January 1993.
  9. Paul Reuss, Neutron Physics. EDP Sciences, 2008. ISBN: 978-2759800414.

See also:

Internal Conversion

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