Abstract
Nuclei with magic numbers serve as important benchmarks in nuclear theory. In addition, neutron-rich nuclei play an important role in the astrophysical rapid neutron-capture process ( process). is the only doubly magic nucleus that is also an important waiting point in the process, and serves as a major bottleneck in the synthesis of heavier elements. The half-life of has been experimentally deduced for the first time at the Coupled Cyclotron Facility of the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory at Michigan State University, and was found to be . In the same experiment, a first half-life was deduced for of , and more precise half-lives were deduced for and of and , respectively.
- Received 22 November 2004
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.94.112501
©2005 American Physical Society