Energy levels, decay scheme, γ-ray branching ratios and lifetimes in 55Fe from the 55Mn(p,nγ)55Fe reaction

The reaction 55Mn(p, nγ)55Fe has been studied at Esub(p) = 4.0 and 6.0 MeV using a pulsed beam. From the experiments at 6.0 MeV, the energy levels of 55Fe up to an excitation of 3810 keV, their decay scheme and the γ-ray branching ratios have been determined. Levels have been identified for the first time in the (p, nγ) reaction. The results have been compared with those available from the literature. From the 4.0 MeV experiment, the mean lifetime of the 1408 keV level has been determined to be 142.7 +- 6.6 ps by direct timing techniques. (orig.)