Precision half-life measurement of the 4-fold forbidden electron capture of V-50

Abstract

A sensitive search of the 4-fold forbidden non-unique beta decay of V-50 has been performed. A total exposure of 185.8 kg x d has been accumulated. A reliable half-life value with the highest precision so far of $(2.29\pm 0.25)\cdot 10^{17}$ years of the electron capture decay of V-50 into the first excited state of Ti-50 could be obtained. A photon emission line following the 4-fold forbidden beta decay into the first excited state of Cr-50 could not be observed, resulting in a lower limit on the half-life of the beta decay branch of $1.7\cdot 10^{18}$ years. This is barely in agreement with a claimed observation of this decay branch.

arXiv comment4 pages, 3 figures, replaced with published version

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• Neutrino mass limit from tritium beta decay
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Cited by in corpus (5)

• Experimental searches for rare alpha and beta decays
• Radioactive contamination of scintillators
• A new investigation of half-lives for the decay modes of ${}^{50}$V
• An innovative technique for the investigation of the 4-fold forbidden beta-decay of ${}^{50}$V
• Beta decays in investigations and searches for rare effects