Search for an M0 transition in 170Yb.

Abstract

We have examined the suggestion that an M0 transition occurs between the 2819.6-keV ${0}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$ level of $^{170}\mathrm{Yb}$ and the ${0}^{+}$ ground state by internal-conversion electron emission. Gamma rays, internal-conversion electrons, and internal ${\mathit{e}}^{+}$${\mathit{e}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$ pairs were detected from the ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\beta}}}^{+}$ and electron capture decay of two-day $^{170}\mathrm{Lu}$ (${0}^{+}$). At an upper limit of 2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}8}$ electron per $^{170}\mathrm{Lu}$ decay, no evidence was obtained for M0 decay of the 2819.6-keV level of $^{170}\mathrm{Yb}$ by single-electron emission.