Double electron capture is a decay mode of an atomic nucleus. For a nuclide with number of nucleons A and atomic numberZ, double electron capture is only possible if the mass of the nuclide of is lower. In this mode of decay, two of the orbital electrons are captured via the weak interaction by two protons in the nucleus, forming two neutrons. Two neutrinos are emitted in the process. Since the protons are changed to neutrons, the number of neutrons increases by two, the number of protonsZ decreases by two, and the atomic mass numberA remains unchanged. By reducing the atomic number by two, double electron capture transforms the nuclide into a different element. Example:
Rarity
In most cases this decay mode is masked by other, more probable modes involving fewer particles, such as single electron capture. When all other modes are “forbidden” double electron capture becomes the main mode of decay. There exist 34 naturally occurring nuclei that are believed to undergo double electron capture, but the process has been confirmed by observation in the decay of only three nuclides:,, and. One reason is that the probability of double electron capture is stupendously small; the half-lives for this mode lie well above 10 years. A second reason is that the only detectable particles created in this process are X-rays and Auger electrons that are emitted by the excited atomic shell. In the range of their energies, the background is usually high. Thus, the experimental detection of double electron capture is more difficult than that for double beta decay. Double electron capture can be accompanied by the excitation of the daughter nucleus. Its de-excitation, in turn, is accompanied by an emission of photons with energies of hundreds of keV.
If the mass difference between the mother and daughter atoms is more than two masses of an electron, the energy released in the process is enough to allow another mode of decay, called electron capture with positron emission. It occurs along with double electron capture, their branching ratio depending on nuclear properties. When the mass difference is more than four electron masses, the third mode, called double positron decay, is allowed. Only six naturally occurring nuclides can decay via these three modes simultaneously.
Neutrinoless double electron capture
The above-described process with the capture of two electrons and emission of two neutrinos is allowed by the Standard Model of particle physics: No conservation laws are violated. However, if the lepton number is not conserved, or the neutrino is its own antiparticle, another kind of process can occur: the so-called neutrinoless double electron capture. In this case, two electrons are captured by nucleus, but neutrinos are not emitted. The energy released in this process is carried away by an internal bremsstrahlunggamma quantum. Example: This mode of decay has never been observed experimentally, and would contradict the Standard Model if it were observed.
