α decay of the very neutron-deficient isotopes 197-199Fr

Abstract

Decay properties of the very neutron-deficient isotopes 197 -199Fr were studied at the velocity filter Separator for Heavy Ion reaction Products (SHIP) at GSI in Darmstadt. The isotopes were produced in the 2n-4n evaporation channels of the fusion-evaporation reaction 60Ni+141Pr → 201Fr*. Improved α-decay properties of 199Fr were determined and the possible existence of two α-decaying states in this nucleus is discussed. For the isotope 198Fr a broad α-decay energy distribution was detected in the range of (7470-7930) keV and two α-decaying states were observed with half-lives of 1.1(7) and 15(3) ms. The new isotope 197Fr was identified based on the observation of one α-decay chain yielding Eα= 7728(15) keV and T1/2=0.6-0.3+3.0 ms. The systematics of reduced α-decay widths are presented for neutron-deficient francium, radon, and astatine isotopes. © 2013 American Physical Society.