Resolution of nuclear ground and isomeric states by a Penning trap mass spectrometer.

Abstract

Ground and isomeric states of a nucleus have been resolved for the first time by mass spectrometry. Measurements on $^{78}\mathrm{Rb}^{\mathit{m},}$g and $^{84}\mathrm{Rb}^{\mathit{m},}$g were performed using a tandem Penning trap mass spectrometer on-line with the isotope separator ISOLDE/CERN. The effects of ion-ion interaction were investigated for two ion species differing in mass and stored simultaneously in the trap.