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arXiv · 2408.01714

On the decay properties of the neutron-deficient isotope 242Es

J. Khuyagbaatar·R. A. Cantemir·Ch. E. Duellmann·E. Jaeger·B. Kindler·J. Krier·N. Kurz·B. Lommel·B. Schausten·A. Yakushev
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Abstract

The radioactive decay properties of $^{242}$Es were studied with significantly improved statistics compared to available literature data. This isotope was produced in the 3n evaporation channel of the fusion reaction of $^{48}$Ca+$^{197}$Au. A half-life of 16.9(8)~s was deduced from 662 $\alpha$ decays of $^{242}$Es, resulting in an $\alpha$-decay branching of 41(3)\%. Twenty-six fission events with a half-life of 18.2$^{+4.5}_{-3.0}$~s were assigned to originate from the electron-capture delayed fission of $^{242}$Es. The probability for the electron-capture delayed fission was measured to be 0.015(4), which improves and resolves ambiguities in available experimental data. We discuss all known cases for electron-capture delayed fission in Es, Bk, and Am isotopes and compare experimental data with predictions from a recent semi-empirical model. A cross section of 27(3)~nb was measured for the production of $^{242}$Es.

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J. Khuyagbaatar, R. A. Cantemir, Ch. E. Duellmann, E. Jaeger, B. Kindler, J. Krier, N. Kurz, B. Lommel, B. Schausten, A. Yakushev. 2024-08-03. On the decay properties of the neutron-deficient isotope 242Es. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevc.109.034311

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