Rare $\beta$p decays in light nuclei

Abstract

Beta-delayed proton emission may occur at very low rates in the decays of the light nuclei ${}^{11}$Be and ${}^8$B. This paper explores the potential physical significance of such decays, estimates their rates and reports on first attempts to detect them: an experiment at ISOLDE/CERN gives a branching ratio for ${}^{11}$Be of $(2.5\pm 2.5)\cdot 10^{-6}$ and an experiment at JYFL a 95% confidence upper limit of $2.6\cdot 10^{-5}$ for ${}^8$B.

11 pages, 3 figures