Observation of N and M orbital-electron capture in the decay of /sup 163/Ho

Journal Article · Sun Mar 31 23:00:00 EST 1985 · Phys. Rev. C; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.31.1594· OSTI ID:5804767

Hartmann, F X; Naumann, R A

The /sup 163/Ho nucleus decays by electron capture with the lowest Q value of any known ..beta..-decay process and is sensitive to the effects of a finite electron neutrino mass. Low energy N and M orbital-electron capture events have been observed from a gaseous form of /sup 163/Ho internally dispersed in a heated gas counter. The ratio lambda/sub N//lambda/sub M/ = 3.86 +- 0.12 provides a constraint on Q/sub ec/ and m/sub ..nu../. For m/sub ..nu../ = 0, we find Q/sub ec/ = 2600 +- 30 eV. Using independent Q/sub ec/ values, the range for m/sub ..nu../ is discussed.

• Research Organization: Departments of Chemistry and Physics, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544
• OSTI ID: 5804767
• Journal Information: Phys. Rev. C; (United States), Journal Name: Phys. Rev. C; (United States) Vol. 31:4; ISSN PRVCA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

651822* -- Nuclear Properties & Reactions
A=150-189
Experimental-- Radioactive Decay-- (-1987)
73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS
BETA DECAY
DECAY
ELECTRON CAPTURE DECAY
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
ENERGY
FERMIONS
HOLMIUM 163
HOLMIUM ISOTOPES
INTERMEDIATE MASS NUCLEI
ISOMERIC TRANSITION ISOTOPES
ISOTOPES
LEPTONS
MASSLESS PARTICLES
NEUTRINOS
NUCLEI
ODD-EVEN NUCLEI
Q-VALUE
RADIOISOTOPES
RANGE
RARE EARTH ISOTOPES
RARE EARTH NUCLEI
SECONDS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES