Effect of Laser Radiation on the Decay ofU235m

Optical excitation of an atom containing an isomeric nucleus should affect its internal conversion coefficient through modification of its bound-state electronic wave functions as well as by interaction with the outgoing electron. The extreme case of $^{235m}\mathrm{U}$, which decays entirely by internal conversion and for which pronounced environmental effects on the half-life have been observed, is considered. Resonant (bound-state) effects on the lifetime and electron emission spectrum are predicted to occur with moderate-power cw laser irradiation.