Reviewing the evidence for two-proton emission from the high-spin isomer in {sup 94}Ag

Journal Article · Sun Nov 15 04:00:00 EST 2009 · Physical Review. C, Nuclear Physics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PHYSREVC.80.054303· OSTI ID:21296476

Jenkins, David G ^[1]

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1. Department of Physics, University of York, Heslington, York YO10 5DD (United Kingdom)

The emission of two protons, a highly exotic decay process, has been reported from the high-spin 21{sup +} isomer in {sup 94}Ag[I. Mukha et al., Nature (London) 439, 298 (2006)]. Recent experimental results from {gamma}-ray spectroscopy and Penning trap mass measurements, as well as theoretical predictions, are difficult to reconcile with this claim. These anomalies motivate a closer look at the supporting evidence. A detailed review of this evidence suggests that is it unsafe to conclude that the methods used in the two-proton identification experiment demonstrate an ''unambiguous signature'' for two-proton emission. Because the apparatus used could not distinguish protons from positrons and electrons, the identification stands or falls on coincidences with {gamma} rays in the daughter nucleus {sup 92}Rh. It is shown that spurious peaks from Compton-scattered {gamma} rays associated with the dominant background from {sup 94}Ag {beta} decay could have been misidentified as {sup 92}Rh {gamma} rays.

• OSTI ID: 21296476
• Journal Information: Physical Review. C, Nuclear Physics, Journal Name: Physical Review. C, Nuclear Physics Journal Issue: 5 Vol. 80; ISSN 0556-2813; ISSN PRVCAN
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS
BETA DECAY
ELECTRONS
EMISSION
FORECASTING
GAMMA RADIATION
GAMMA SPECTROSCOPY
ISOMERS
MASS
POSITRONS
PROTON-EMISSION DECAY
PROTONS
RHODIUM 92
SILVER 94
SIMULATION
SPIN
TRAPS