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An attempt to detect the spontaneous transformation of helium into penetrating radiation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 October 2008

G. T. P. Tarrant  and
L. H. Gray
G. T. P. Tarrant
Affiliation:
Pembroke College
L. H. Gray
Affiliation:
Trinity College
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Extract

The spontaneous disappearance of an electron and proton in the form of radiation has often been suggested as a possible source of energy to maintain the emission of radiation from hot stars. It can be calculated that the energy of a single quantum formed in this way should be about 1000 million electron-volts. In order to account for the absorption of the ultra-penetrating radiation observed by Regener in deep lakes, and interpreted on the basis of the Klein-Nishina formula, a quantum of still higher energy is required. Sir James Jeans has recently calculated that the transformation of a helium atom into a single quantum would provide a radiation of about the required penetrating power.

Type
Research Article
Information
Mathematical Proceedings of the Cambridge Philosophical Society , Volume 28 , Issue 1 , January 1932 , pp. 124 - 127
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge Philosophical Society 1932

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References

* Nature, vol. 127, p. 594 (1931).Google Scholar

† Proc. Roy. Soc. A, vol. 132, p. 331 (1931).Google Scholar

‡ Proc. Roy. Soc.Google Scholar In course of publication.

* This figure is increased to 10% if we consider only the hard component of penetrating radiation as arising in this way.