41 / 1609
Radioactive Decay
Gamma Decay and Internal Conversion (IC)
The internal conversion process occurs mainly in nuclei
with a high nuclear
charge (high atomic number Z),
where due to the strong electromagnetic
attractive forces the atomic electrons at the inner orbits have a finite probability
of staying in nucleus of that atom. In these atoms, the inner orbits are at very
close distances to the nucleus. Thus an electron from such an orbit can directly
take over the energy excess of the nucleus.
The energy distribution of the
conversion electrons show
a line spectrum
, that is,
as also for the case of γ-rays, characteristic for each nucleus.
In internal conversion, there will be a missing electron (hole) at the involved
electron orbit. This will be then filled by another electron of a higher orbit, where
characteristic
X-rays or Auger electrons
production will be the result.