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On the spectrum and maximum energy of the first forbidden unique beta decay of 107Pd
Karsten Kossert1, Marina Faure2, Daniel Deptuck3
1Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), Bundesallee 100, 38116, Braunschweig, Germany.
Abstract:
The activity concentration of a 107Pd solution was determined by means of liquid scintillation (LS) counting techniques. Initial results revealed discrepancies and gave a first hint that the maximum beta energy could be larger than the currently recommended value (34.0 ± 2.3) keV stated in the Atomic Mass Evaluation AME2020. The finding was confirmed by means of a comprehensive analysis of LS spectra from which the maximum beta energy was determined to be (37.4 ± 1.7) keV. Additionally, experimental data obtained by means of a cryogenic micro-calorimeter, which includes a neutron-transmutation-doped (NTD) germanium thermistor, were analyzed. The experiment took place about 30 years ago at Princeton University. The new analysis yields a maximum beta energy of (37.46 ± 0.19) keV. The beta spectrum shape is compared to advanced theoretical computations and good agreement is obtained in a range from about 10 keV to the endpoint. With the new data, the activity concentration was determined with a relative uncertainty of about 1 %, which is an important milestone towards a new 107Pd half-life determination.
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