Accelerated alpha-decay of uranium isotopes induced by exposure of aqueous solution of uranium salt with gold nanoparticles to laser radiation

Laser-induced accelerated alpha-decay of 232U nuclei under laser exposure of Au nanoparticles in aqueous solutions of uranium salt has been experimentally studied. It is demonstrated that the decrease in the alpha-activity depends strongly on the peak intensity of laser radiation in the liquid and reaches a maximum at 1012–1013Wcm−2. The decrease in the alpha-activity of the exposed solutions is accompanied by deviation of gamma-activities of daughter nuclides of 232U from their equilibrium values. Experimental data on the accelerated alpha-decay of 238U under similar experimental conditions are also presented. Possible mechanisms of laser effect on the alpha-activity are discussed in terms of the amplification of the electric field of laser wave on metallic nanoparticles.