Eur. Phys. J. Spec. Top. (2024) 233: 1151-1160
https://doi.org/10.1140/epjs/s11734-024-01149-8

Review

Isomer depletion

U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Army Research Laboratory, 2800 Powder Mill Road, 20783, Adelphi, MD, USA

^a james.j.carroll99.civ@army.mil

Received: 29 January 2024
Accepted: 13 March 2024
Published online: 2 April 2024

Abstract

The possibility of isomer depletion, an externally induced transfer of population from long-lived nuclear isomers to shorter-lived states, has been investigated for many years, motivated by questions of science and the potential for applications. This review surveys the history and outcomes of such investigations as an entry point to this topic and looks toward further research in this field.