Masses and Proton Separation Energies Obtained from Q α and Q p Measurements

Abstract

For many nuclei beyond the proton drip line in the Z > 72, N > 82 region, both proton and α emission are energetically allowed. In the case of some proton emitters, there are α-decay chains emanating from both parent and daughter nuclei. This means that if the mass excess of one member of an α-decay chain is known, then the mass excesses for all members of both chains can be obtained. In addition, proton separation energies may be derived for nuclei in the α-decay chain of the proton emitter. The method of time- and space-correlations also allows the identification of isomeric states in these nuclei. As an example, a large number of mass excesses and proton separation energies for ground and metastable states have been derived from Q α and Q p values obtained from the proton emitters 165,166,167Ir, 171Au, 177Tl and their daughters.