Beta Decay Measurements of Neutron Deficient Cesium Isotopes.

The study of nuclei far from beta stability provides information on nuclear binding energies and nuclear structure. However, as one progresses away from the valley of stability, the associated half-lives and production cross sections decrease with increasing interference from the decays of adjacent nuclei. An experimental solution to these problems was the use of the He-jet fed on-line mass separator, RAMA. This instrument provided a fast and selective technique for the mass separation necessary for the investigation of exotic nuclei. Using this device, a beta decay Q-value study of the neutron deficient cesium isotopes, ('119-123)Cs, was conducted. Beta decay endpoint energy measurements of the neutron deficient cesium isotopes were done using an energy spectrum shape fitting technique. This was a departure from the typical method of endpoint energy analysis, the Fermi-Kurie plot. A discussion of the shape fitting procedure and its improved features are discussed. These beta endpoint measurements have led to total decay energies (Q(,EC)) of the neutron deficient ('119 -123)Cs isotopes. The total decay energies of ('122m)Cs (Q(,EC) = 6.95 (+OR-) 0.25 MeV) and ('119)Cs (Q(,EC) = 6.26 (+OR-) 0.29 MeV) were new measurements. The total decay energies of ('123)Cs (Q(,EC) = 4.05 (+OR-) 0.18 MeV), ('122g)Cs (Q(,EC) = 7.05 (+OR-) 0.18 MeV), ('121)Cs (Q(,EC) = 5.21 (+OR-) 0.22 MeV), and ('120)Cs (Q(,EC) = 7.38 (+OR -) 0.23 MeV) were measurements with significantly improved uncertainties as compared to the literature. Further, a combination of the energy levels derived from previous literature gamma-gamma coincident measurements and the experimental beta-coincident gamma decay energies has supported an improved level scheme for ('121)Xe and the proposal of three new energy levels in ('119)Xe. Comparison of the experimental cesium mass excesses (determined with our Q(,EC) values and known xenon mass excesses) with both the literature and theoretical predicted values showed general agreement except for ('120)Cs. This isotope displayed a deviation of (TURN)800 keV in both comparisons with the experimental value. Possible explanations for this deviation are discussed.