Beta-delayed proton emission from $^{21}$Mg

TL;DR

This study measures beta-delayed proton emission from $^{21}$Mg at CERN, determining its half-life, analyzing resonance structures in $^{21}$Na, and refining its decay scheme with spectroscopic insights.

Contribution

It provides new experimental data on $^{21}$Mg decay, including precise half-life measurement and detailed resonance analysis, enhancing understanding of its decay scheme.

Findings

Half-life of $^{21}$Mg is 118.6 ms.

Identified proton energies between 0.39 and 7.2 MeV.

Refined decay scheme consistent with reaction studies.

Abstract

Beta-delayed proton emission from $^{21}$Mg has been measured at ISOLDE, CERN, with a detection setup including particle identification capabilities. $\beta$-delayed protons with center of mass energies between 0.39$\,$MeV and 7.2$\,$MeV were measured and used to determine the half life of $^{21}$Mg as $118.6\pm 0.5\,$ms. From a line shape fit of the $\beta p$ branches we extract spectroscopic information about the resonances of $^{21}$Na. Finally an improved interpretation of the decay scheme in accordance with the results obtained in reaction studies is presented.