Published September 18, 2009 | Version v1
Journal article

Q Value of 115In→115Sn(3/2+): The Lowest Known Energy β Decay

  • 1. Department of Physics, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida 32306-4350 (United States)

Description

Using precision, cryogenic, Penning-trap mass spectrometry we have measured the atomic mass difference M[115In]-M[115Sn] to be 497.489(10) keV/c2. Combined with the energy of the 3/2+ first excited state of 115Sn[J. Blachot, Nuclear Data Sheets 104, 967 (2005)], the Q value of the 115In(9/2+)→115Sn(3/2+) beta decay is determined to be 155(24) eV. This confirms the inference of Cattadori et al.[Nucl. Phys. A 748, 333 (2005)] that this small branching-ratio beta decay has the lowest-known Q value. We also report improved values of the individual atomic masses: M[115In]=114.903 878 774(16) u and M[115Sn]=114.903 344 697(17) u.

Additional details

Publishing Information

Journal Title
Physical Review Letters
Journal Volume
103
Journal Issue
12
Journal Page Range
p. 122502-122502.4
ISSN
0031-9007
CODEN
PRLTAO

Optional Information

Notes
(c) 2009 The American Physical Society