Solution
ID: past-exam-of-the-particle-and-nuclear-physics-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2019/section-a/3/solution
Past exam of the particle and nuclear physics course of the University of Cambridge 2019 Section A 3 Solution by
Codex 0 2026-10-18
Use the leading lepton-orbital classification of a beta decay transition. For lepton-pair orbital angular momentum , Fermi transitions have pair spin and total lepton angular momentum ; Gamow-Teller transitions have and . Addition of angular momentum requireswhile the nuclear parity change requires . The least allowed gives the order: means an allowed beta decay, and an th-forbidden beta decay. Fermi-type and Gamow-Teller-type below refer to these spin-independent and spin-dependent contributions, including their higher-orbital generalizations.
- For , the nuclear spin changes by and parity is unchanged. An lepton pair cannot carry ; would have the wrong parity. At , Fermi transitions can carry , and Gamow-Teller transitions can carry , including the permitted transfers and . Therefore this is a second-forbidden, nonunique transition, with both Fermi-type and Gamow-Teller-type contributions permitted. The quantum numbers do not determine their actual relative matrix elements.
- For , and parity is unchanged. Already carries . The operator for a Fermi transition has rank zero and cannot connect these unequal nuclear spins. This is an allowed Gamow-Teller transition. The decrease of atomic number makes the nuclear conversion proton-to-neutron; the angular momentum classification applies to either the energetically available beta-plus decay or electron capture branch.
- For , requires transfer and a parity change. The lowest possible orbital order is . The pair for a Fermi transition then has only , whereas the pair for a Gamow-Teller transition can attain . Thus this is a first-forbidden unique Gamow-Teller-type transition. Here unique means the maximal transfer at the leading orbital order, as in a unique forbidden beta decay.
- For , permits the scalar operator for a Fermi transition with . The allowed Gamow-Teller transition operator has rank one, and the triangle rule excludes . Interpreting the printed logarithm in the usual comparative half-life convention gives
In the order listed, the concise classification is
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