Atomic masses of intermediate-mass neutron-deficient nuclei with relative uncertainty down to 35-ppb via multireflection time-of-flight mass spectrograph

Abstract

High-precision mass measurements of ${}^{63}$Cu, ${}^{64-66}$Zn, ${}^{65}$Ga, ${}^{65-67}$Ge, ${}^{67}$As, ${}^{78,81}$Br, ${}^{80}$Rb, and ${}^{79}$Sr were performed utilizing a multireflection time-of-flight mass spectrograph combined with the gas-filled recoil ion separator GARIS-II. In the case of ${}^{65}$Ga, a mass uncertainty of 2.1 keV, corresponding to a relative precision of $\hat{I}´m/m=3.5\times 10^{-8}$, was obtained and the mass value is in excellent agreement with the 2016 Atomic Mass Evaluation. For ${}^{67}$Ge and ${}^{81}$Br, where masses were previously deduced through indirect measurements, discrepancies with literature values were found. The feasibility of using this device for mass measurements of nuclides more neutron-deficient side, which have significant impact on the $rp$-process pathway, is discussed.

15 pages, 6 figures, 1 table