First $\beta$-delayed neutron spectroscopy of ${}_{24}O$

The $\beta$ decay of ${}_{24}O$ was investigated at NSCL/MSU using a combination of neutron and $\gamma$-ray spectroscopy. For the first time, the $\beta$-delayed neutron energy spectrum of ${}_{24}O$ was measured, revealing three intensely populated, isolated neutron-unbound states in ${}_{24}F$. This allowed for the extraction of the decay strength in ${}_{24}F$ up to 6.2 MeV. A comprehensive comparison of the experimental results with various nuclear theories, ranging from the empirical shell model to the most advanced ab initio calculations, was conducted. While most theoretical predictions align with the experimental data for low-lying states, discrepancies arise at higher excitation energies. In the transition from ${}_{24}O$ to ${}_{24}F$, shell model calculations using the empirical USDB interaction predicted the structure of both nuclei without invoking the need for a stronger proton-neutron tensor force, which was postulated for the neighboring isotone ${}_{25}F$.