Abstract
We observed the bound-state decay of fully ionized Re nuclei circulating in a storage ring. With two independent methods the time dependent growth of hydrogenlike Os ions has been measured and a half-life of for bare Re nuclei could be determined, to be compared with 42 Gyr for neutral Re atoms. With the resulting value of the half-life of Re ions in any ionization state can be calculated. Thus one can correct the ReOs galactic chronometer calibration, by taking account of the decay enhancement in stellar interiors, which will lead to a more accurate estimate of the galactic age.
- Received 20 September 1996
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.77.5190
©1996 American Physical Society