Internal conversion of nuclear transition in the 235mU-C60−nXn molecules and related compounds

The internal conversion of nuclear transition in the 235U atom is considered. The low-energy γ-quanta (Eγ≈76.8 eV) are emitted during the E3-transition from the excited state (I=(12)+) of the 235U nucleus to its ground state (I=(72)−). The decay rate of this 235mU isomer (E≈76.8 eV) noticeably depends upon the chemical composition and actual physical conditions (i.e. temperature T and pressure p). By varying such a composition and physical conditions one can change the life-time of the 235mU isomer to relatively large/small values. A specific attention is given to the fullerene molecules containing the central 235U atom. It is shown that the decay rate λ of the 235mU isomer in the 235mU-C60−nXn molecules and related compounds can differ significantly from the values obtained for isolated 235U atoms. Some applications of this effect are considered.