Attempt to manipulate the decay rate of Cu64

We searched for a temperature dependence of the half-life (T1/2) of Cu64 embedded in natural copper. We did not observe any change in T1/2 between room temperature and 12 K on the level of 0.25%. Some earlier studies had suggested an increased T1/2 (by a few percent) for electron-capture and β- decay dominated radioactive decays in a metallic environment at low temperature compared to measurements at room temperature. Our result is in excellent agreement with the recommended T1/2 value for Cu64 and with very recent studies on Au198. © 2008 The American Physical Society.

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Author Werner Tornow Physics