Observation of the 2${}^{+}$ isomer in ${}^{52}$Co

Abstract

We report the first observation of the 2${}^{+}$ isomer in ${}^{52}$Co, produced in the ${\hat{I}}^2$ decay of the 0${}^{+}$, ${}^{52}$Ni ground state. We have observed three ${\hat{I}}^3$-rays at 849, 1910, and 5185 keV characterizing the ${\hat{I}}^2$ de-excitation of the isomer. We have measured a half-life of 102(6) ms for the isomeric state. The Fermi and Gamow-Teller transition strengths for the ${\hat{I}}^2$ decay of ${}^{52m}$Co to ${}^{52}$Fe have been determined. We also add new information on the ${\hat{I}}^2$ decay of the 6${}^{+}$, ${}^{52}$Co ground state, for which we have measured a half-life of 112(3) ms.

Accepted for publication in PRC. 8 pages, 7 figures