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Abstract

Laser-induced nuclear recollisions following $\alpha$ decay in the presence of an intense laser field are investigated theoretically. We show that while an intense optical laser does not influence notably the tunneling rate in $\alpha$ decay, it can completely change the $\alpha$ particle spectrum. For intensities of $10^{22}-10^{23}$ W/cm$^{2}$, the field is strong enough to induce recollisions between the emitted $\alpha$ particle and the daughter nucleus. The energy gained by the $\alpha$ particle in the field can reach 20 MeV and suffice to trigger several types of nuclear reactions on a femtosecond time scale. Similar conclusions can be drawn about laser-induced recollisions after proton emission. Prospects for the experimental realization of laser-induced nuclear recollisions are discussed.