Abstract
Recent measurements of galactic radioactivity with the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory reported activity from the supernova remnant Cassiopeia A. The absolute amount of provides a stringent test for current supernova models. The main uncertainty is presently the half-life of . We report a new measurement of the half-life of applying a novel technique using a mixed radioactive ion beam containing as well as ions. This method allows the reliable determination of the half-life of with high accuracy, . The abundance determined for Cassiopeia A with this half-life agrees with theoretical predictions within the observational uncertainties.
- Received 22 October 1997
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.80.2554
©1998 American Physical Society