Internal bremsstrahlung endpoint energy of 54Mn

For 54Mn there is a discrepancy between the QEC obtained from the endpoint energy of the internal bremsstrahlung (IB) spectrum which accompanies the electron capture decay (QEC=1353±8 keV) and that obtained from the accepted mass differences (QEC=1377±1 keV). This Q value is needed to deduce the partial-half life of the astrophysically interesting β- decay of 54Mn from the recently measured β+ partial half-life. To resolve this discrepancy, we have remeasured the endpoint energy of the IB spectrum, by recording coincidences between the IB and the 835-keV γ ray, both detected in Compton-suppressed Ge detectors. The QEC we deduce is 1379±8 keV, in agreement with the accepted mass differences. (c) 2000 The American Physical Society