Decay of 48-50Ar isotopes

Abstract

Information on β-decay properties of neutron-rich 48-50Ar was obtained at the ISOLDE mass-separator facility at CERN using isobaric selectivity. This was achieved by a combination of a plasma-ion source with a cooled transfer line and subsequent mass-separation. Normally, argon beams cannot be mass-separated from intense multi-charged symmetric fission krypton and xenon. Several techniques were used successfully in order to overcome this problem. Implication of the obtained information for a better understanding of the origin of the 48Ca/46Ca isotopic anomaly discovered in inclusions from the Allende meteorite is discussed.