Laser induced nuclear electromagnetic transitions

The lifetime reduction of metastable nuclear states, induced by intense laser fields, is studied. The transition amplitudes and lifetime reduction are calculated. The main way of transition is the dipole decay across the virtual giant resonance state. The critical laser field intensities are estimated, leading to experimentally detectable effects. It is shown that intense laser field can induce direct gamma emission of the forbidden 0+ yields 0+ transition. (D.Gy.) 14 refs