Inhibition of the radioactive decay of the isomer 119m Sn with the use of Mössbauer backscattering

In research on the production of beams of coherent γ rays (γ-ray lasers), conditions under which a substantial change Δλ/λ=?(0.114 ±0.027) in the radioactive decay constant λ (the isomeric level 89.53 keV ^119m Sn, T _1/2=293 days) can occur have been found experimentally for the first time. This is made possible by coherent Mo ssbauer (23.87 keV) backscattering from a resonant screen located nearby. An interpretation of the effect observed is proposed on the basis of the idea of dynamic synchronization of oscillations between a nuclear level and a standing wave of Mössbauer radiation. Possibilities for further increasing Δλ/λ up to 0.5 are found.