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Published on: May 3, 2019
Decay scheme study of 126Sn and 126Sb
1CEA, LIST, Laboratoire National Henri Becquerel (LNE-LNHB), Gif-sur-Yvette, France. laurent.ferreux@cea.fr
Summary
This study investigated the decay of tin-126 (¹²⁶Sn) using gamma-ray spectrometry. New experimental data refined the understanding of its decay scheme and the branching ratio of antimony-126m (¹²⁶Sb(m)).
Area of Science:
- Nuclear Physics
- Radiochemistry
Background:
- Understanding the decay scheme of radioactive isotopes is crucial for nuclear structure studies.
- Tin-126 (¹²⁶Sn) is a neutron-rich isotope whose decay properties require precise experimental determination.
Purpose of the Study:
- To accurately determine the decay scheme of tin-126 (¹²⁶Sn).
- To measure key parameters including the isomeric branching ratio of antimony-126m (¹²⁶Sb(m)) and the maximum beta energy.
- To re-examine and refine the decay scheme of ¹²⁶Sn and its daughter products based on new experimental findings.
Main Methods:
- Utilized gamma-ray spectrometry to measure relative photon emission intensities from purified ¹²⁶Sn samples.
- Employed liquid scintillation to determine the maximum beta energy associated with the ¹²⁶Sn decay.
- Calculated the isomeric branching ratio for ¹²⁶Sb(m) and the Kbeta/Kalpha intensity ratio for Sb.
Main Results:
- The isomeric branching ratio of antimony-126m (¹²⁶Sb(m)) was determined to be 18.6 (6) %.
- The Kbeta/Kalpha intensity ratio of Sb was found to be 0.226 (11).
- New experimental data provided a basis for re-evaluating the decay scheme of ¹²⁶Sn.
Conclusions:
- The experimental results provide critical data for nuclear structure models.
- The refined decay scheme of ¹²⁶Sn enhances our understanding of nuclear processes.
- Accurate decay data are essential for applications in nuclear science and technology.
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