Improved Rate Expression in the Quasi-Equilibrium Theory of Mass Spectra

Abstract

An improved continuous approximation to the number of states of a collection of harmonic oscillators of different frequencies has been developed and applied to the quasi-equilibrium theory of mass spectra. The classical approximation previously used in this theory has been shown to be invalid at low energies. The difficulties in the application of the quasi-equilibrium theory of mass spectra are to a great extent resolved by the use of this more reasonable approximation.