New half-lives of very neutron-rich iron isotopes

Abstract

The $\ensuremath{\beta}$ decay of the most neutron-rich iron isotopes was investigated, leading to the first determination of the ${}^{72}$Fe half-life and new measurements of the half-lives of ${}^{69\ensuremath{-}71}$Fe. The experimental results are compared with theoretical predictions and presented in the context of the weak astrophysical rapid neutron capture process.