The determination by an independent method ofP k electron capture probabilities in133Ba and139Ce decays gamma decay of133Ba

The electron capture decays of¹³³Ba (10.4 y) and¹³⁹Ce (140 d) were investigated with high resolution Ge(Li) detectors. By x-ray — γ-ray coincidences values of the quantityP _k ω _k ? _k for various transitions in the decay of¹³³Ba and¹³⁹Ce are obtained. The factor ω _k ? _k was measured independently by means ofK-conversion electron-K x-ray coincidences and was then used to determineP _k , theK-capture probability. The independent measurement of the product ω _k ? _k , together with recent accurate values of ω _k , provides a new method for the accurate calibration of semiconductor x-ray detectors. In the decay of¹³⁹Ce, a value ofP _k =0.78±0.03 is found (where the error represents twice the standard deviation) from whichQ _ec =326 _?30 ⁺⁷⁰ keV to the¹³⁹La ground-state is found by use of theory. In¹³³Ba decay, values are found ofP _k 1=0.72±0.04 for theEC transition to the 437 keV level in¹³³Cs,P _k 2=0.80±0.07 to the 384 keV level, and from an independent measurement, the ratioP _k 1/P _k 2=0.87±0.07. From these results the ground-state value ofQ _ec =522 _?10 ⁺²⁰ keV is derived from theory for¹³³Ba decay. The gamma spectrum of¹³³Ba also was remeasured. From the present gamma intensities and previous conversion electron intensities, new values forK-shell conversion coefficients are obtained. Previously reported γ-rays at 35 and 391 keV are not confirmed.     

The electron capture decay of125I and145Pm

The productP _K ω _K of theK-capture probability and theK-fluorescence yieldω _K was measured in the EC decay of 17.7 y¹⁴⁵Pm and 60.14d¹²⁵I by means ofK x-ray-γ-ray coincidences with semiconductor detectors. Accepting a best value ofω _K =0.920 forZ=60 from the literature, values ofP _K =0.606±0.025 and 0.554±0.025 for decay of¹⁴⁵Pm to the 67.2 and 72.4 keV levels in¹⁴⁵Nd, respectively, were determined, from which the application of EC theory givesQ _EC=153±4 keV to the ground state. TheP _K ω _K ratio to the 67.2 and 72.4 keV levels also was determined independently to be 1.11±0.01, which serves as a good check on theγ-ray-gatedP _K values. Theγ-ray energies were determined more accurately to be 72.4±0.1 and 67.2±0.1 keV, together with a ratio of their relative intensities,I _72.4/I _67.2=3.35±0.09. In the decay of¹²⁵I, a value ofP _K ω _K =0.699±0.030 was measured, and by using an independent determination ofQ _EC=178±2 keV to the ground-state from the literature, a value ofP _K=0.801 is calculated from allowed EC theory, from whichω _K =0.873±0.017 atZ=52 is obtained. This value is in good agreement with theoretical values and with a value of 0.875±0.028 predicted by the best fit curve of Bambyneket al.     

Der Zerfall des125m Xe,des127m Xe und des127g Xe

The decay of^125m Xe produced by the reaction¹²²Te(α, n)^125m Xe using a target enriched in¹²²Te (95.4%) and the decay of^127m Xe produced by the reaction¹²⁷J(d, 2n)^127m Xe have been investigated: ^125m Xe decays with a half-life ofT _1/2=(56±3) sec by ayy- cascade withE _γ1=(140.4 ±0.5) keV andE _γ2=(110.5 ±0.5) keV. The experimental conversion coefficients yield multipolarities ofE3 for the 140.4 keV isomeric transition and predominantlyM1 for the 110.5 keV-transition. ^127m Xe decays with a half-life ofT _1/2=(71±2) sec. The decay also proceeds by aγγ-cascade with an isomeric E3 transition ofE _γ1=(172.5±0.3) keV and a predominantlyM1 transition ofE _γ2=(124.6±0.3) keV. In the decay of^127g Xe an additional branching of the electron capture to a level at (618.1±0.3) keV was observed. The relative probability forK-captureP _K618/P_K375=0.40 ±0.07 yields a total transition energyQ _EC=(664 ±4)keV. A spin of 1/2⁺ was assigned to the ground state.     

Determination of theK-shell electron capture probabilityP K in the decay of139Ce

A new coincidence procedure for the determination of theK-shell electron capture probability in simpleEC decays is described. By measuringγ-rays andK-shell conversion electrons separately and in coincidence with theK X-rays theK capture probability can be deduced only from counting rates. The method has been applied to¹³⁹Ce. The result ofP _K = 0.726±0.010 is in fairly good agreement with other experimental values reported previously.     

Messung des Elektroneneinfangs am Kern176m Lu

The electron capture of^176m Lu to the ground state and to the first excited state of¹⁷⁶Yb has been observed by measuring the YbK x-rays and the 82,2 keV gamma-rays from the gamma decay of the first excited state in¹⁷⁶Yb. With the data of the 88,36 keV gammarays following the beta decay of^176m Lu to the first excited state of¹⁷⁶Hf the electron capture/beta decay ratio of^176m Lu was found to be (0,95±0,16)·10^?4. The electron capture branching ratio to the ground state and to the first excited state of¹⁷⁶Yb was found to be 40/60±30%. By analyzing the 88,36keV gamma-rays and the HfKx-rays the halflife of^176m Lu was evaluated to be 3,66±0,04 h. The value for theK-conversion coefficient of the 88,36keV transition was determined from the x-ray/gamma-ray ratio to be 1,19±0,09.     

Electron capture intensities in the decay of133Ba

The ground state decay of¹³³Ba was investigated using NaI(Tl) scintillation crystals.P _L/P_K electron capture ratios were measured for the transitions to the 437 keV and to the 384 keV level of¹³³Cs. The results are: (P _L/P_K)₄₃₇=0.371±0.007 and (PP _L/P_K)₃₈₄=0.221±0.005. From these data a mass difference between the ground states of the¹³³Ba- and the¹³³Cs-atom of (515±3) keV was derived. Besides, these capture ratios yield an exchange correction of 1.03±0.03. Furthermore, the intensity of the transition to the 161 keV level was determined to be smaller than 0.5% of all decays.     

Measurement ofK-electron capture probability (P k ) in the decay of197Hg (64.1 h)

TheK-electron capture probability (P _K ) for the 268.7 and 77.3 keV states of¹⁹⁷Au in the decay of¹⁹⁷Hg (64.1h) have been determined from theKX-ray gamma ray summing in a HPGe X-ray detector. The measured values,P _k (268.7)=0.746±0.033 andP _k (77.3)=0.774±0.036 are found to be in good agreement with the theoretical results.     

TheK-conversion coefficient near threshold of the 30 keV isomeric transition in108mAg decay

With calibrated Ge(Li) x-ray detectorsK x rays in the conversion of the 30 keV isomeric transition in the decay of^108mAg were observed in coincidence with 79 keV γ-rays. Thus, the fraction of 30 keV transitions which take place byK conversion was measured to be (2.44±0.23) × 10^?2. Making use of a theoretical total conversion coefficient (K conversion contributes only a minor part of the total conversion coefficient), an experimental value of theK-conversion coefficient was obtained, α_K=(1.07 ± 0.10) × 10⁴ (where the error represents twice the standard deviation to which the error in the detector efficiency has been added linearly). This value agrees with the theory of Hager and Seltzer forM4 conversion. The energy of the cascading γ-ray was remeasured to be 79.20 ± 0.05 keV.     

The internal conversion of theN=81 Isotones139m Ce and141m Nd

A rapid gas-jet system was used for preparation ofβ ^?-samples of^139m Ce and^141m Nd. Conversion electrons and photons were detected simultaneously with absolutely calibrated detectors. Conversion coefficientsα _K = 0.0732±0.0023 andα _K=0.0824±0.0029, conversion ratiosK/L+...= 4.68±0.20 andK/L+...=4.58±0.23 were measured for^139m Ce, and^141m Nd, respectively. The calculated M4 values of Hager and Seltzer, and Dragoun et al. were confirmed within the experimental accuracy.     

Mössbauer scattering of the 166 keV gamma rays of139La

The Mössbauer scattering of the 166 keV γ-rays of¹³⁹La was observed with a source of¹³⁹Ce in CeO₂ and scatterers of La₂O₃, La(OH)₃, LaF₃, K₃LaF₆, LaB₆, and LaC₂. The isomer shifts obtained for these compounds are compared with isomer shift data for the analogous Pr compounds. From this comparison it is inferred that the change of the mean square nuclear charge radius for the 166 keV transition is positive and of the order of 10^?2 fm².     

L 1 subshell yields atZ=73 from the electron capture decay of181W

The TaL x ray spectrum from the electron capture decay of¹⁸¹W is analyzed into components characteristic of the threeL-subshells and theL ₁ subshell yields atZ=73 are determined to beΩ ₁=0.15±0.02,f ₁₂=0.23±0.05 andf ₁₃=0.32±0.02. A revised decay scheme for the decay of¹⁸¹W is proposed from measurements of x-ray and gamma intensities. A value of 0.97±0.08 for theK-conversion coefficient of the 153 keV transition is obtained and itsE ₂/M ₁ multipolarity mixing ratio,δ ²(0.25) is deduced.     

DieK-ElektroneneinfangwahrscheinlichkeitP K beim Zerfall von139Ce

TheK-Shell Electron-Capture ProbabilityP _K for the Electron Capture of¹³⁹Ce has been measured using the coincidence method. The detectors used have been a NaJ(Tl)-detector with Be-window for the Lanthan-X-ray, a Ge(Li)- and a 76.2 mm Ø×76.2 mm-NaJ(Tl)-detector for the 166 keV-γ-ray. The escape-effect of the Lanthan-X-ray in the NaJ(Tl)-detector was investigated. The experimental results areP _K Ω_K= 0.726±0.010 andP _K =0.801±0.034 using Ω_K=0.906±0.026.     

Decay energy of183Re→183W

The electron capture decay energy of¹⁸³Re has been determined from the fraction ofK-capture in the transition to the 453.08 keV level in¹⁸³W by delayed coincidences. From this value the total decay energy from₁₈₃Re→¹⁸³W is obtained to beQ=555 _?7 ⁺⁹ keV according to the theory ofBrysk andRose with corrections ofBahcall. The resulting logft values and consequences for the decay scheme are discussed.     

K conversion coefficients of transitions in87Sr

TheK conversion coefficients of the 388 and 483 keV transitions in⁸⁷Sr populated in the decay of⁸⁷Y have been measured with Ge(Li) and Si(Li) detectors by the NPG method. We find α _K values of 0.162 ± 0.010 and 0.00260 ± 0.00013 for the 388 and 483 keV transitions, respectively.     

The decay of140Pr to levels in140Ce

The decay of¹⁴⁰Pr was investigated by means of a Ge(Li) spectrometer. Excited states of¹⁴⁰Ce at 1,596.2, 1,903.1, 2,348.9, 2,522.5, 3,016.8 and 3,119.6 keV are fed in the beta decay of¹⁴⁰Pr. Spin and parity assignments for all observed levels have been made from electron capture and positon disintegration considerations and gamma branches. The experimental level scheme of¹⁴⁰Ce is compared with the results of shell model calculations forN=82 nuclei.     

K-capture probabilities in the electron capture decay of159Dy

TheK-electron capture probabilities (P _k) for the 58 keV state and the ground state of¹⁵⁹Tb in the decay of¹⁵⁹Dy have been determined. The measured values,P _k ⁵⁸ =0.81±0.05 andP _k ⁰ =0.79±0.06 are found to be in excellent agreement with theoretical results.     

K-electron capture probabilities in the decays of Gd151 and Dy159

TheK-electron capture probability,P _K, in the allowed and non-unique first-forbidden transitions is measured by observing coincidences betweenK x rays and γ rays. The following results are obtained. In Gd¹⁵¹ decayP _K to the 349.8 keV level is 0.713 ± 0.015 andP _K to the 307.4 keV level is 0.813 ± 0.020. It is also deduced that the decay energyQ _EC is 491 _?9 ⁺¹⁴ keV and the spin of the 307.4 keV level is 7/2. In Dy¹⁵⁹ decayP _K to the 58.0 keV level is found to be 0.803 ± 0.032.     

High-spin levels in137,139Ce and139,141Nd evidence for hole-core coupling

Excited states of the¹³⁷Ce,¹³⁹Ce,¹³⁹Nd and¹⁴¹Nd nuclei have been studied using the¹³⁸Ba(α, 5nγ)¹³⁷Ce,¹³⁸Ba(³He, 4nγ)¹³⁷Ce,¹³⁸Ba(α, 3nγ)¹³⁹Ce,¹⁴⁰Ce(α, 5nγ)¹³⁹Nd,¹⁴⁰Ce(³He,4nγ)¹³⁹Nd,¹⁴⁰Ce(α, 3nγ)¹⁴¹Nd and¹⁴²Ce(α, 5nγ)¹⁴¹Nd reactions. Singlesγ-ray spectra,γ —γ coincidence spectra, angular distributions and time distributions ofγ-rays with respect to beam pulses have been measured. Gamma transitions between excited states with spin values up to 21/2, 23/2 or 25/2 have been observed. Isomeric states with T_1/2=70 ns have been observed in¹³⁹Ce at 2631.5 keV (19/2) and in¹⁴¹Nd probably at 2952.0 keV (19/2). The level structure observed in the nuclei studied can be explained if the neutron-holes are coupled to the doubly even core excitations. The coupling of theh _11/2 neutron-hole with the 2⁺, 4⁺ and 3^? collective excitations are calculated in terms of the weak and intermediate coupling models. The intermediate coupling results seem to be in better agreement with the experimental data. The energies of theree-particle states, being the result of the coupling of theh _11/2 neutron-hole with the two-proton excitations in the core, are well reproduced in the calculations when empirical values of the two-body interaction matrix elements were used.     

Innere Konversion der 161 keV- und 223 keV-Übergänge in133Cs

Using a Ge(Li)-Si (Li)-spectrometer the 161 keV and 223 keV transitions of¹³³Cs were investigated. TheK-conversion coefficients were deduced to beα _K =0.205±0.007 andK-conversion coefficients were deduced to beα _K =0.0743±0.0043, respectively. TheK/L ratio for the 161 keV transition is 4.72±0.37. From theK-conversion coefficients were deduced to beα _K -values,M1 penetration factors ofλ=8.6±3.4 andλ=7.8 _?2.8 ^3.0 were deduced which are inconsistent with known data from angular correlation experiments (λ=40±10 andλ=90±13). The penetration factor fromK/L-measurement for the 161 keV-transition isλ=52±19. A theoretical reinvestigation of the formulas used in the literature appears recommendable. Furthermore, theK/L ratio of the 1770 keV transition of²⁰⁷Pb was determined experimentally to be 5.52±0.54.     

Experimentelle Untersuchungen am Elektroneneinfang des85Strontium und88Yttrium

The electron capture decay of⁸⁵Sr and⁵⁵Y has been investigated using NaI(Tl)-detectors. Spectroscopic-coincidence techniques have been employed to examine theK-electron capture rates. The experimental results areP _K ω _K (Sr)=.5959 ± 0.0035 andP _K ω _K (Y)=0.6340± 0.0032. Using theK-capture probabilities, derived from the capture ratios ofBrysk andRose with the exchange correction ofBahcall:P _K (Sr)=0.880± 0.008 andP _K (Y)=0.883 ± 0.008, one can derive from these results the fluorescence yieldsω _K (Rb)=0.677± 0.009 andω _K (Sr)=0.712± 0.010. Functions ofω _K (Z) were fitted to recent experimental data and tabulated forZ=5–90. In addition to these results the half life of the 514 keV state of⁸⁵Rb and the branching ratios and the positron rate of the⁸⁸Y-decay have been measured with the same techniques. The data obtained partly disagree from measurements of other authors.