Internal conversion coefficients and penetration effect for the 279 keV transition in203Tl

The internal conversion process of theM1+E 2 mixed 279 keVγ-ray transition in the decay of²⁰³Hg has been reinvestigated. The emission rate of theK-shell internal conversion electrons was determined with an electron X-ray coincidence measurement using a magneticΒ-spectrometer and a Si(Li) detector of high energy resolution. Conversion electron ratios were obtained from electron spectra recorded as a function of momentum. The disintegration rate has been taken from measurements with a calibrated NaI(Tl)γ-ray spectrometer. Following results have been deduced: α=0.2279±0.0024, α _K =0.1653±0.0017, α _L =0.0475±0.0013,K/(L+M+?)=2.64±0.03,K/L=3.48±0.12,L/(M+N+ ?)=3.14±0.12. On the basis of the experimental results on theK-shell internal conversion coefficient,α _k , and the conversion ratioK/(L+M+?) the penetration effect on the internal conversion of theM1 part and the mixing ratio,δ ², of the 279 keVγ-ray transition in²⁰³Tl have been studied. Calculations were made using Hager and Seltzer's formalism and their theoretical internal conversion coefficients. The results are consistent with a mixing ratio ofδ ²=1.32±0.11 and a penetration parameter ofλ=6.8 ±0.8.