Re: Nuclear Isomer Decay: A Possibility for Breakthrough Space

[Mike McNaughton <mcnaught@lanl.gov>]

>The below fascinating abstract is about inducing gamma decay as a deep space
>propulsion method.
>Can anyone explain:
>    How can isomeric transition be triggered?
>    How can the resulting gamma rays be made to go in one direction so as to
>produce propulsion. I thought the direction of gammas must be isotropic.

In a magnetic field, the gamma emission from beta decay is not exactly
isotropic. However, this is very far from becoming a practical method of
directing the gammas. There is no known method of directing the gammas that
is likely to become practical within the next 100 years.

I think the isomeric transition is trigered by a process analogous to
"stimulated emission"; the "SE" in LASER stands for "stimulated emission".

In summary, this is extremely-speculative 22nd-century stuff!
"Shlala gashle" (Zulu greeting, meaning "Stay safe")
mike (mcnaught@LANL.GOV)
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