LONG-LIVED ISOMERIC NUCLEI AS SOURCES OF INTENSE GAMMA BURSTS

摘要

We consider a new type of nuclear chain reaction, namely, a reaction of anti-Stokes radiative transitions of long-lived metastable isomers, triggered by the quasi-equilibrium black body radiation of a dense hot plasma. The relatively high temperature of the plasma is maintained by its partial absorption of gamma photons emitted by nuclei following their absorption of trigger photons of lower energy from the pksma. As a result, the energy stored in metastable isomeric states is released in a chain reaction and an intense burst of gamma photons is emitted. Quantitative estimates of this chain reaction are presented.