The β Decay of 21N

Abstract

The β-delayed neutron and γ energy spectra taken from the decay of neutron-rich nucleus 21N were measured by using the β–γ and β – n coincidence detection method. Thirteen new neutron groups ranging from 0.28MeV to 4.98MeV and with a total branching ratio of 88.7 ± 4.2% were observed and presented. One γ transition with an energy of 1222keV emitted from the excited state of 21O, and four γ transitions with energies of 1674, 2397, 2780, and 3175keV emitted from the excited states of 20O were identified in the β decay chain of 21N. The β decay half-life for 21N is determined to be 82.9 ± 1.9 ms. The uncertainty of half-life is much smaller than the previous result.