Laser-stimulated enhancement of neutron widths for p-wave resonances near neutron binding energies is investigated. This study intends to clarify a long-standing disagreement about the possibility of observing the effect of laser-induced nuclear reactions. A formula for calculating the induced neutron width has been derived based upon the Einstein theory of emission and absorption of photons. In comparison with the previous ones, the width now is expressed in terms of some model-independent and measurable parameters such as the partial radiative width, thus making estimations more reliable. The published measurements on this subject have been analyzed and compared with present calculations. The prospect of experimentally observing this effect in the near future is also discussed.

• Received 22 June 1988

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.39.94