Identification of 152Ce

Although the 152Ce isotope, the heaviest one of cerium, was once reported as identified, it was pointed out later on that the assignment should be corrected and 152Ce is still unknown. The search for 152 Ce has been carried out again in the present report. From γ-ray spectra of mass separated fission products produced by KUR-ISOL, the Pr-K X-ray and two γ-rays are assigned to be generated by the β-decay of 152Ce. The half-life is determined to be 1.4(2) s, which is a little shorter than theoretical predictions, 2.2 s and 2.1 s. (orig.)