Gamow-Teller transitions

Gamow-Teller transitions are a type of nuclear reaction that occurs during the transformation of one type of nucleus into another. They involve the change of a nucleon (a proton or neutron) into another type (proton to neutron or vice-versa) while also changing its spin, akin to flipping a coin. These transitions are important in processes like beta decay, where unstable nuclei emit beta particles and transform into different elements. Understanding Gamow-Teller transitions helps scientists comprehend how elements evolve in stars and how radioactive materials behave, thus contributing to fields like nuclear physics and astrophysics.