Mass measurements of Ga60–63 reduce x-ray burst model uncertainties and extend the evaluated T=1 isobaric multiplet mass equation

Abstract

We report precision mass measurements of neutron-deficient gallium isotopes approaching the proton drip line. The measurements of Ga60–63 performed with the TITAN multiple-reflection time-of-flight mass spectrometer provide a more than threefold improvement over the current literature mass uncertainty of Ga61 and mark the first direct mass measurement of Ga60. The improved precision of the Ga61 mass has important implications for the astrophysical rp process, as it constrains essential reaction Q values near the Zn60 waiting point. Based on calculations with a one-zone model, we demonstrate the impact of the improved mass data on prediction uncertainties of x-ray burst models. The first-time measurement of the Ga60 ground-state mass establishes the proton-bound nature of this nuclide, thus constraining the location of the proton drip line along this isotopic chain. Including the measured mass of Ga60 further enables us to extend the evaluated T=1 isobaric multiplet mass equation up to A=60.Received 14 August 2021Revised 22 October 2021Accepted 16 November 2021DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.104.065803©2021 American Physical SocietyPhysics Subject Headings (PhySH)Research AreasBinding energy & massesCoulomb energies & analogue statesModels based on symmetriesNuclear astrophysicsNuclear physics of explosive environmentsNuclear reactionsNucleosynthesis in explosive environmentsShell modelProperties59 ≤ A ≤ 89MassTechniquesMass spectrometryTime-of-flight mass spectrometryNuclear Physics