Beta delayed emission of a proton by a one-neutron halo nucleus

TL;DR

This paper calculates the rare beta-delayed proton emission in one-neutron halo nuclei using a two-body potential model, highlighting its sensitivity to neutron separation energy and providing decay probabilities for specific isotopes.

Contribution

It introduces a detailed two-body potential model to predict beta-delayed proton emission in one-neutron halo nuclei, a process not extensively quantified before.

Findings

Decay probability varies significantly with neutron separation energy.

Predicted decay probabilities for $^{11}$Be, $^{19}$C, and $^{31}$Ne.

Highlights the importance of neutron separation energy in decay rates.

Abstract

Some one-neutron halo nuclei can emit a proton in a beta decay of the halo neutron. The branching ratio towards this rare decay mode is calculated within a two-body potential model of the initial core+neutron bound state and final core+proton scattering states. The decay probability per second is evaluated for the $^{11}$Be, $^{19}$C and $^{31}$Ne one-neutron halo nuclei. It is very sensitive to the neutron separation energy.