An Atomic Physics Search for the Existence of Bound State Beta Decay

This grant provides partial support for an investigation of of bound state beta decay, a phenomenon never before observed in the laboratory. Through the use of very sensitive resonance fluorescence detection methods, the formation of the 23S1 state of the 3He atom resulting directly from the beta decay of tritium will be measured. The direct formation of bound states following beta decay is expected to be of importance in nucleosynthesis. This experiment will utilize a lanthanide hexa-aluminate laser which is tunable around 1.08 micrometers.