The interpretation of β-ray spectra

Abstract

In the preceding paper we have described the results of a detailed reexamination of the radium B and radium C β-ray spectra, and also from these spectra we deduced the energies or wave-lengths of the γ -rays emitted by these bodies. There is, however, a great deal more information that can be obtained from these measurements. It is admittedly of a less certain character but refers to very important problems. It is the object of this paper to describe these further deductions. In the first section we discuss some details connected with the ejection of the natural β-ray groups. In the second section we confirm the conclusion reached from previous work that there are stationary states in the nucleus, of which the energy differences can be obtained from the γ -rays measured. Here we find the new and interesting result that there seem to be striking analogies between the level systems of radium B and radium C. Finally, a short discussion is given of the bearing of our general results on the theory of the β-ray disintegration.