Hidden magnetism inside atoms may explain mysterious gamma rays
Science Daily · 2026-08-21
A new study, published in Nature and led by the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) with researchers from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), offers an explanation for a decades-old puzzle in nuclear physics: why some atomic nuclei release more low-energy gamma rays than anticipated, an effect known as "low-energy enhancement." The research provides strong evidence that magnetic transitions within the nucleus are responsible for this phenomenon. Scientists investigated the decay of a radioactive copper isotope into zinc, finding that only magnetic transitions, where neutrons and protons essentially flipped their internal magnets, produced the unexpected low-energy gamma ray enhancement, unlike electric transitions involving proton shifts. This finding provides a consistent explanation connecting experimental observations with theory.
*The full article also explores the implications of these findings for improving nuclear models across a wider range of elements, enhancing understanding in astrophysics, nuclear energy, and national security, including predicting stockpile performance and improving nuclear forensics.*