Difference between the triton beta decay constants in atomic and molecular tritium measured by the helium isotope method

AbstractThe results are given for an experiment on measuring the difference between the values of triton beta decay constant in atomic and molecular tritium, Δλam=λa−λm. In order to determine Δλam, the growth rates of the relative content of radiogenic helium-3 in samples with atomic and molecular tritium have been compared. The value of Δλam=(4.6±0.8)×10−12 s−1 has been obtained, which corresponds to a relative change of the decay constant by ∼0.26%. Using the value of Δλam measured, the following value of the half-life of atomic tritium has been derived: (T1/2)a=(12.264±0.018) years