Analysis of decay data from neutron-rich nuclei

Abstract

The β-decays of the neutron-rich nuclei Be-12 and Ne-29 have been studied. The statistical correlations between the almost identical half-lives of Be-12 and its daughter B-12 are analysed for a large sample of Be-12 decay data. Stringent mutual bounds are obtained on the parameter set, leading to a precise determination of the Be-12 half-life of 21.50 ± 0.04 ms. From a simultaneous detection of β-particles and neutrons from the decay of Ne-29 the neutron emission probability, P-n, is determined to 17 ± 5%. No indication of two-neutron emission is seen from this nucleus. An upper limit of 2.2% (90% confidence level) is established for P-2n.